In a surprising turn of events, former The Only Way Is Essex stars James 'Arg' Argent and Gemma Collins have put their turbulent past behind them, reuniting for a festive outing at Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland.
A Festive Reunion Years in the Making
The ex-couple, whose on-off romance captivated viewers for nearly a decade, were spotted laughing and chatting amiably during the evening out with friends. This cheerful encounter comes a full five years after their explosive 2020 split, a breakup famously marred by Arg's abusive text messages where he cruelly branded Gemma a "hippo" and a "fat f***", adding she had "more rolls than Greggs".
Despite this painful history, the pair appeared in high spirits, sipping drinks and mingling with their group. At one point, they were even seen stepping aside for a private, animated conversation, suggesting a level of comfort and reconciliation that fans haven't witnessed in years.
Transformations and Public Apologies
Following their split, both reality stars embarked on significant personal journeys. In 2021, after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery and losing nearly 11 stone, Arg publicly expressed deep regret for his past behaviour.
He told The Sun, "Anything negative I've said about anyone I deeply regret and I apologise for. A lot of the time, when you say negative things about other people, you're really saying it about yourself. It's self-hatred." Arg has also spoken candidly about his battles with binge-eating and the lockdown isolation that led to a personal crisis, culminating in a wake-up call when his mother broke down in tears upon seeing him.
New Beginnings for Both Stars
While Arg has been on a path of self-improvement, Gemma's life has also transformed dramatically. The 44-year-old is now happily engaged to her long-time partner, Rami Hawash, who has been a pillar of support since before her rise to fame.
Gemma recently revealed that when she first met Rami, she was working as a car saleswoman. She credits him for encouraging her to pursue television full-time, even financially supporting her by giving her £100 each morning for hair, makeup, and travel to filming. She fondly refers to him as her "forever love" as they prepare to launch their own TV show together and plan a whimsical, Maleficent-inspired woodland wedding for 2026.
Arg has given his blessing to their relationship, stating previously, "I'm very pleased that she started dating Rami again because I'm actually quite fond of him, he's a nice guy." Their Winter Wonderland reunion appears to be the final chapter in closing a difficult but defining period in both of their lives.
