Fans of TOWIE are in for a shock as one of their Essex favourites has been axed from the series.
Who could it be, we hear you ask?
Could it be Pete Wicks, to protect viewers from having to stare at those body tatts of his?
Or is it megamouth Megan McKenna, to give a fans a break from her constant screaming?
Well, no! It’s actually one of the show’s biggest stars – James ‘Arg’ Argent.
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Yes, we know we haven’t seen him this series – but there’s been a good reason.
He’s been in rehab trying to deal with his drug demons but has told pals that he was keen to get back to work because he had missed it so much.
However, this week, it was reported, that during a meeting with TOWIE producers, he was told they would not be asking him back for the remainder of the series.
In fact, they supposedly said that his role in future series was under threat because he was seen as something of a risk.
“Arg loves TOWIE and was hoping he would make a cameo in the final few episodes of the series,” a source told The Sun.
“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.”
However, a TOWIE spokeswoman has hinted that he will be welcomed back to the fold at some point in the future.
“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.”
Arg – who is known on set as the Ian Beale of TOWIE as he has been in the show since day one – has been in and out of the show over the past couple of years due to his ongoing problems.
However, back in February, he finally decided to beat his demons once and for all by checking himself into a self-help facility in Thailand.
After ten weeks, he flew back into the UK this week, looking fresher and thinner and looked like his stint had done him the world of good.
Recently, best mate Jack Tweed revealed that Arg was having a productive time in rehab 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, who used to date fellow Towie star Lydia Rose-Bright, has struggled with addiction for many years and was tested positive for cocaine in 2014.
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Although he hasn’t been seen on screen on TOWIE for some time, Arg has still been a big part of the show’s storylines.
Just recently Gemma Collins revealed she and Arg had had a secret fling in Marbella in her her attempt to fall pregnant.
It emerged that they had sex on the same holiday he bedded Lydia Bright, which didn’t go with his ex all that well.