James Argent looked like a new man as he celebrated his 34th birthday this weekend.
The former The Only Way Is Essex star shared a slimmed down photo of himself with his 802,000 Instagram followers showcasing his recent 11 stone weight loss.
A smiling Arg thanked fans for all their ongoing support and declared that 2022 was the year he hoped to find the “love of his life”.
The heartfelt post said: “THE BIRTHDAY BOY. I can’t actually believe that I’m 34 today!
“I want to thank everyone for their love and support. I continuously get stopped in the street with people saying ‘keep going Arg’ & ‘you’ve got this’.
“I’ve been through a hell of a lot but I’m so lucky to have so many people behind me & that believe in me.”
Listing the achievements he is most proud of from 2021, Arg wrote: “My weight loss, my beloved @thargband & the house that I always dreamed of buying but never thought I’d be able to get.”
Looking to the future, he added: “Hopefully in 2022 I’ll meet the love of my life but most importantly stay happy and healthy. Love always, Arg.”
Arg took the decision to have a gastric sleeve fitted earlier this year after reaching 27 stone – his heaviest weight ever.
Seventy per cent of his stomach was removed for the weight loss procedure meaning he can now only eat small quantities of food.
The singer has since reached his goal weight of 15 stone and looks happier and healthier than ever.
Arg began putting on weight in lockdown when he swapped his drug and alcohol addiction for junk food.
At his worst, he admits to eating his favourite meal of pie and mash – but instead of one pie, he’d have three. This was followed by a whole tub of ice cream.
He decided to have surgery after doctors warned him if he didn’t stop bingeing he could eat himself to death.
Arg said the wake-up call for him was when his own mum said she didn’t recognise him anymore.
The star is set to perform in the upcoming E4 show The Real Dirty Dancing alongside Gogglebox's Tom Malone Jnr.
Tom, who is a real-life choreographer recently gave Arg a dance lesson to Sister Sledge's The Greatest Dancer, which was later posted to Instagram .
The show will see various stars, including Anthea Turner, learn the moves to the iconic Dirty Dancing dance starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey.
It will be filmed at a lakeside location like in the film. Ashley Roberts and Keith Lemon are set to host the show which will air next year.
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