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James Argent says he could die without gastric op to lose weight

James Argent said he reached 23 and a half stone at the start of the year. (Getty Images)
James Argent (Getty Images)

James Argent has revealed he is planning to have a gastric operation after being warned that he could die if he doesn’t lose weight.

The TOWIE star – who recently celebrated a year of sobriety - has put on some extra pounds in lockdown because he isn’t exercising like he was before and now weighs 26 stone.

He told The Sun it has now got to the point where he had to ask for help doing up his shoelaces.

Read more: Davina McCall shares support for James Argent after he opens up about drug use

“I don’t want to die. An op is the only way I can lose weight,” he said. “I see pictures of myself and it’s too upsetting.”

Argent went on: “I don’t want to die, it’s as simple as that. I’ve been told by doctors that I am morbidly obese and need to lose weight, but I have an eating disorder, so I can’t do it.

“I’ll either starve and work out three times a day and be really skinny, or do no exercise and eat takeaways every day.”

Argent – who has dated fellow TOWIE star Gemma Collins on and off - is now mulling over which procedure to go for and has a consultation lined up in a couple of weeks.

The star has been open about his struggles with weight and substance abuse in the past.

He previously told how he believed his drug addiction was actually a symptom of an eating disorder after years of battling with his weight.

Gemma Collins and James Argent attend ITV Palooza!, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank, London.
Gemma Collins and James Argent (PA)

“The core of my addiction stems from my eating disorder,” he told The Sun. “I binge on food if I hate the way I look.

Watch: James Argent give Gemma Collins credit for how she handled his addiction

“I’d feel down so I’d start using drugs at 9pm until 6am, not eating a thing. Then I’d wake up, feel low and be absolutely starving and I would binge on everything from fizzy drinks, burgers, fast food, crisps, snacks, pizzas, takeaways to the point where I couldn’t possibly eat any more to feel better.

Read more: James Argent says he could die if he doesn't lose weight

“Then I’d look in the mirror, see I’m the biggest I’ve ever been, then think, ‘When is a suitable time for a dealer to drop me off’.”