James Argent Net Worth, Age, Height, Wife, Transformation, Career, and Controversies

James Argent is a British television personality and media figure, best known as an original cast member of The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE). Over the past decade and a half, his life has seen major public highs and lows — from fame and weight/health struggles to addiction, dramatic transformation, and serious legal controversy in 2025. Below is a comprehensive, up‑to‑date biography.

Quick Facts

Early Life

James Argent was born on 5 December 1987 in Waltham Forest, London. He grew up in a family with parents Martin and Patricia Argent and moved at a young age with his family to Essex.

He attended Trinity Catholic High School in Woodford Green. Early in life, Argent had an interest in performing arts and won the “Kenny Award” at the local Kenneth More Theatre in Ilford. That early success suggested a potential career in singing or acting before he entered reality television.

A turning point came when he pivoted from local theatre to mainstream media. The award and recognition he received laid the foundation for his later leap into the public eye.

James Argent Career Journey

James Argent’s mainstream rise began with his casting on The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE) in 2010. He quickly became one of the most recognisable faces on the show, staying on the series until 2018.

Beyond TOWIE, Argent expanded into other reality‑ and entertainment‑based television. His credits include:

• Celebrity Super Spa (2013) on Channel 5
• Pantomime debut in “Cinderella” as Dandini at the Kings Theatre, Southsea (Dec 2015 – Jan 2016)
• Participation in Sugar Free Farm (ITV) and The Jump (Channel 4) in 2016
• Another pantomime role in December 2018 in “Aladdin” (as Abanazar) at Middleton Arena

After 2018, producers opted not to renew his contract with TOWIE, marking the end of his regular involvement with the show.

Argent also attempted to diversify his career beyond reality TV through media appearances, live performances, and brand endorsements. Some of his income streams reportedly come from brand deals and his own company holdings.

Personal Struggles: Addiction, Weight & Health

Throughout his public life, James Argent has faced serious struggles with addiction and health. He admitted to a long-term cocaine addiction, stating that there were two near-fatal overdoses during his worst years.

He has described periods of addiction where he was spending about £500 a week on cocaine. His addictions reportedly coincided with cycles of binge‑eating and erratic lifestyle behaviours.

By the early 2020s, his health had deteriorated significantly. He reached a weight of 27 stone (approximately 378 lbs), a state which he described as being warned by doctors he was on “death row.”

At that lowest point, Argent reportedly struggled with simple tasks; he publicly said that at his heaviest he even needed help tying his shoelaces.

In 2014, after failing a drug test, he was suspended from TOWIE and entered rehab. That period marked one of the more serious lows in his public life.

James Argent Transformation

The turning point for Argent came in April 2021, when he underwent gastric sleeve surgery (sleeve gastrectomy) to shrink his stomach and aid weight loss.

After surgery, James Argent committed to a healthier lifestyle: smaller portion meals, regulated diet, gym workouts. He publicly declared the surgery “the best decision I have ever made.”

He reported losing around 13 stone, reducing his weight substantially — from ~27 stone down to ~14 stone.

Argent described feeling “happier and healthier than ever,” crediting not only the surgery but also his renewed discipline, fitness routine, and decision to maintain sobriety.

That transformation reshaped his public image — from a tabloid figure plagued by addiction and health issues to someone on a path of recovery and self-improvement.

Recent Developments (2024–2025): Career, Legal Troubles

Return to TV / Public Appearances

After years away from his TOWIE regular role, Argent remained active publicly through performances and social media. In 2024, he was reported to have a net worth above £1 million, from a combination of brand deals, reality‑show appearances, and his own company holdings.

Despite his efforts to rebuild, 2025 brought a serious blow: a legal case stemming from an incident during a holiday in Spain.

In May 2025, Argent was arrested and charged with domestic violence after pushing his then‑girlfriend, former Miss Sweden Nicoline Artursson, down a flight of stairs at their apartment in La Cala de Mijas, Costa del Sol.

He appeared before the court in Fuengirola and admitted to the charge, receiving a six‑month suspended prison sentence, a two‑year restraining order, and an order to complete a domestic violence rehabilitation course.

Following the conviction, he returned to Spain to begin the mandated rehabilitation program.

Despite the conviction, Argent returned to public performances almost immediately. He performed at a venue in Costa del Sol weeks after the court verdict.

This sequence — legal punishment followed by public appearances — drew heavy media attention and public criticism.

What is James Argent’s Net Worth?

Various media sources place his fortune at around over £1 million (as of 2025).

The wealth stems from multiple revenue streams:

• Earnings from his time on The Only Way Is Essex (2010–2018)
• Additional reality‑show appearances and televised participation (Celebrity Super Spa, Sugar Free Farm, The Jump, others)
• Live performances, media appearances, brand endorsements, and possible income via his own company holdings

Company filings reportedly show that his personal company (or companies) held assets — including cash — reflecting ongoing attempts to manage his finances after past debts and rehab expenses.

Because public records for private individuals’ complete finances are limited, net worth estimates should be considered approximate.

Personal Life & Relationships of James Argent

James Argent’s personal life has been subject to public attention over many years. According to public records:

• He dated Lydia Bright on and off from 2007 to 2012, and again from 2015 to 2016
• He was also in an on-and-off relationship with Gemma Collins, initially briefly in 2012, then more seriously from December 2017 until July 2020
• From 2022 to 2023, he reportedly dated an Italian actress, Stella Turian, described as younger than him by several years
• In 2025, his relationship with Nicoline Artursson ended following the violent incident and subsequent conviction

He reportedly has no children.

Controversies

James Argent’s public life has been marked by multiple controversies. Notable among them:

• In August 2014, he was temporarily reported missing after failing to show up for a scheduled flight. He was found safe roughly 24 hours later
• In October 2014, he failed a drugs test, leading to suspension from TOWIE and a stint in rehab
• His long history of substance abuse (notably cocaine) culminated in two near‑fatal overdoses, which he has publicly admitted to
• The most significant recent controversy: in May 2025, he was convicted of domestic violence for pushing his then-girlfriend Nicoline Artursson down stairs during a holiday in Spain. He admitted the offence of “mistreatment”
• The court imposed a six‑month suspended sentence, a two‑year restraining order, and mandated a re‑socialisation course in gender violence. He was also ordered to pay only £250 in compensation

These controversies have significantly impacted his public image and standing.

Public Persona & Media Narrative

Over the years, Argent has occupied a complex place in British popular media. In earlier years, he was a tabloid-favourite reality star with charisma and drama. Following his weight, addiction, and rehab struggles, the public narrative shifted toward an arc of redemption.

His gastric sleeve surgery and public commitment to health and sobriety were widely publicised and earned praise. He portrayed himself as someone hitting rock bottom but rising again.

This narrative of self-improvement earned him some sympathy and support — both from fans and other media figures.

However, the 2025 domestic violence conviction has caused a major backlash, undermining much of the goodwill built over previous years. Media coverage has been unflinching, and public reactions broadly negative.

His public performances so soon after the conviction have drawn criticism. Some view them as an attempt to “move on” too quickly; others question sincerity and accountability.

At this moment, Argent’s public persona is deeply fractured — neither fully rehabilitated nor fully repudiated.

Conclusion

James Argent’s life story is a mixture of fame, fall, redemption attempts, and serious controversy. From early promise as a theatre‑award winner, to mainstream reality‑TV stardom, to addiction and health crises, and finally to a dramatic weight‑loss transformation — Argent’s journey has constantly been in the public eye.

The 2025 conviction for domestic violence represents a profound turning point. It remains to be seen whether he can rebuild his career or reputation after this. For now, his legacy is complicated — a cautionary tale of fame’s risks as well as the difficulty of true redemption in the public view.

FAQs

Is James Argent still on TOWIE?
No. His contract was not renewed in 2018.

Has James Argent served prison time for the 2025 conviction?
No. He was given a six‑month suspended sentence, not immediate jail time.

How much weight has James Argent lost?
He reportedly lost around 13 stone after gastric sleeve surgery, going from ~27 stone to ~14 stone.

What is James Argent’s net worth (2025)?
Estimated at about £1 million, from his media career, performances, brand deals, and company assets.

Who are some people James Argent has been in relationships with?
He has publicly dated Lydia Bright, Gemma Collins, Stella Turian, and most recently Nicoline Artursson.