James Argent shows off slimmer figure while he catches up with his pal Tommy Mallett
It comes after we reported that he's been "axed from Towie"
JAMES ‘Arg’ Argent is enjoying some guy time after returning from rehab.
The new slimmer looking reality star shared a sweet snap of himself next to his best mate Tommy Mallet.
Looking trim following his 10-week stint in a Thai self-help facility, he posted the pic of the pair of them smiling, and wrote: "FRIENDS REUNITED!!! So nice to catch up with #manlike @tommy_mallet God damn I've missed him! X [sic]"
He may have been putting on a brave face after The Sun revealed that he had been "axed" from Towie.
The long-serving star, 29, reportedly held talks with show bosses on Thursday and was told he would not be featuring in the remaining episodes of the current series.
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And, in a further blow to the reality star veteran, his long-term future on the ITVBe show has been placed in doubt as insiders believe his recent troubles mean he’s too much of a risk to take back.
A source said: “Arg loves Towie and was hoping he would make a cameo in the final few episodes of the series.
“But bosses believe after a lengthy stint in a rehab, being rushed back into the fold would not be in the best interests of Arg and other cast members.
“He was also told a full-time return is unlikely, unless there was a dramatic improvement in his lifestyle.”
Arg embraced being the show’s only remaining “original,” nicknaming himself “The Ian Beale of Towie” in a nod to the veteran EastEnders character, played by Adam Woodyatt.
However, his seven-year run has recently been tainted with absences, his last appearance being towards the later end of 2016.
He checked himself into a self-help rehab facility in Thailand in February in a bid to beat his demons.
The star appeared to have lost weight during his 10-week stay as he landed back into the UK yesterday following his “life changing” experience.
Pal Jack Tweed, widow of former Big Brother star Jade Goody, recently told how well Arg was doing in the Far East.
He said: “Arg is really loving it out there.
“He said he’s been doing loads of stuff like Muay Thai boxing, jungle trekking, abseiling down waterfalls and zip lining.
“He’s been eating really healthy food and he’s lost over a stone. Arg is in a really good place at the moment and I hope he keeps it up, for his sake and his family’s sake.”
Arg’s career has been dogged by personal problems ever since he was suspended by Towie for testing positive for cocaine in 2014 which triggered his first stint in rehab the following year.
Despite his absence from the recent series his name has cropped up, after Gemma Collins revealed they had a secret fling on the same Marbella holiday in which he bedded ex-girlfriend Lydia Bright.
A Towie spokeswoman said: "We are pleased that James is home and that he's made such positive progress, however we have mutually agreed that he should take some further time before he returns to Towie fully."
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