Peter Andre has jumped to James Argent 's defence, as the TOWIE star is snapped kissing his new girlfriend.
James, 34, was recently pictured locking lips and packing on the PDA with Stella Turian, 18, during a romantic Marbella holiday, leading to many raising an eyebrow over their budding relationship due to the 16-year age-gap between the reality TV star veteran and the teenager.
Mysterious Girl singer Pete, 49, has spoken out in defence of Arg - explaining how 'it depends how you are with the person' when it comes to age-gap relationships, and admits he has also previously faced criticism over his romance with his younger wife, 33-year-old NHS doctor Emily Andre.
Discussing Stella - who was around six-years-old when TOWIE premiered in 2010 - and Arg's relationship, the dad-of-four says: "Age is a different thing to different people. On paper things can look a certain way but I think it depends how you are with the person.
"I don’t think I’ve ever felt an age gap between us and when you see us together you wouldn’t feel there is.
"Next year I’ll be 50 but I’m going to be a young 50 so I’m not worrying about that."
Continuing in his latest column for new! magazine, Pete adds: "I have a lot of time for Arg and I was happy for him when I saw that he has a new girlfriend.
"There has been a lot of talk about the fact there is a 16-year age gap between them as Arg is 34 and Stella is 18, This is actually the same gap as me and Emily.
"I can’t comment on anyone else’s age differences, but I know at the start of our relationship a lot was said, but now I’m in my 40s and Emily is in her 30s no one ever says anything."
Pete and Emily struck up a romance in 2012 following his divorce from Kate Price and the pair went on tie the knot in 2015. The happy couple share children Amelia and Theo together, as well as the singer's two children, Junior and Princess from his previous marriage.
The star's supportive comments for his pal come as Arg appears to have found love once again, following his split from ex-girlfriend and former TOWIE co-star Gemma Collins in 2020 after a tumultuous on-off relationship over the years.
Appearing on GB News recently, the reality TV star opened up about his love life, saying he had met someone 'lovely' who lives on a Greek island and he's definitely ready for a relationship – after proving unlucky in love in the past.
Speaking in July, he said: "I feel more confident and I feel like I'm ready to potentially meet someone, like there was someone I've met recently who's lovely, but she lives abroad."
It seems James has managed to make the long-distance romance work - with a source recently confessing the star and Stella are currently loved-up and their age difference is no problem.
"James and Stella are in love, they fell for each other the moment they met and have spent as much time together as possible since," an insider told MailOnline.
"This is a big deal for James – he hasn't been in a relationship for years because he's been working on himself and finally now, he's ready to share his life with someone.
"The age difference hasn't played any part in their romance so far, they've holidayed together in Italy and Marbella, getting to know each other away from the spotlight."
The new couple reportedly first met in Mykonos three months ago when James was attending a friend's wedding.
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