Why Gemma Collins broke lockdown to see James Argent

Gem’s insecurities finally got the better of her

Gemma Collins and James Argent

by Charlotte Oliver |
Updated on

Absence may make the heart grow fonder – but, if you ask Gemma Collins, it also makes you break the rules. Last week, the reality star found herself in hot water after apparently flouting government guidelines and travelling over 30 miles to spend the night with her on/off boyfriend James ‘Arg’ Argent, despite urging her followers to stay safe and stay at home.

According to insiders, Gem had been winding herself up for weeks with insecurity, and had convinced herself that Arg was flirting with other women behind her back. Eventually, we’re told, her paranoia got the best of her and sent her running from her brother’s home in Great Dunmow, Essex, where she’s been self-isolating, to Arg’s South Woodford pad.

“Gemma’s worried that the longer they’re apart, the more chance there is that Arg will strike up a conversation with someone else,” says an insider close to the 39 year old, who, as heat previously told you, has been feeling intimidated by Arg’s recent health kick.

CHECK OUT Gemma Collins' relationship history

Gallery

HEAT Gemma Collins relationship history SLIDER with cover pic

Gemma Collins' complete relationship history...1 of 13
CREDIT: ITV

Swipe through to see Gemma Collins' complete relationship history...

Rami Hawash, 2011 - 20142 of 13
CREDIT: Instagram

Rami Hawash, 2011 - 2014 & 2017

Gemma dated Rami Hawash on and off for three years between 2011 and 2014. The owner of a mechanical repairs company in Essex briefly appeared in TOWIE, and the couple were even rumoured to be engaged at one point before they called it off for good in 2014. Gemma sparked rumours that she'd got back together with Rami in March 2017 when she was spotted wearing the engagement ring he'd bought her, but they split for good later in 2017.

Charlie King, c. 20123 of 13
CREDIT: Getty Images

Charlie King, c. 2012

Gemma was romantically linked to her TOWIE co-star Charlie King, and was pictured holding hands with him in London in April 2012. Although nothing was ever confirmed, Gemma did admitted that they kissed on an episode of TOWIE in March 2017, telling him, "Unbelievable... I'm so glad I shared a kiss with you once." Charlie came out as gay live on This Morning in 2014.

James 'Arg' Argent, 20124 of 13
CREDIT: Getty Images

James 'Arg' Argent, 2012

Gemma's on/off relationship with TOWIE co-star James 'Arg' Argent is thought to have began back in 2012, just months after he split up with long-term girlfriend Lydia Bright. They were pictured here in London in 2012.

ITV5 of 13
CREDIT: ITV

Summer 2012

Sadly, Gemma caught wind that Arg had been bad-mouthing her weight behind her back, and confronted him in Marbella in the summer of 2012, "You've been going around discussing what happened between us. Well let me tell you something now, you don't ever disrespect a girl like that again. Take a good look at this, you ain't ever gonna get this candy!"

Alexander Moss, 20146 of 13
CREDIT: Getty Images

Alexander Moss, 2014

Gemma dated Alexander Moss in May 2014, but he reportedly assaulted her in her home and handed himself into the police just days before she flew out to Australia to star in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here.

Sebastian Marc Graham7 of 13
CREDIT: Twitter/ Gemma Collins

Sebastian Marc Graham, 2015

Gemma was set up with Sebastian Marc Graham by her friend Jake Hall whilst on holiday in Marbella, but things seemed to fizzle out quite quickly.

Gemma Collins8 of 13
CREDIT: Instagram/ Gemma Collins

Stephen Mortimer, 2015

Gem dated jailbird Stephen Mortimer in 2015, but split in October 2016 shortly before he was jailed for stealing jewellery in a home raid, having previously spent two years inside for GBH.

Summer 20169 of 13
CREDIT: ITV

Summer 2016

Although Arg got back together with Lydia Bright, they split up yet again in summer 2016 - but slept with both her and Gemma on the same day, leaving the GC understandably livid.

JJ Goodman, 201610 of 13
CREDIT: Instagram/ jjgoodmanbartender

JJ Goodman, 2016

Gemma met bartender JJ Goodman at the Cannes Lions festival in July 2016 and the pair hit it off, with Gem revealing that she thought he could even be The One, "He's a proper gentleman. Any man who can take treat me like a princess and then share a Club Sandwich with me is definitely "The One" in my books." However, nothing seemed to come of it.

December 201711 of 13
CREDIT: Getty Images

December 2017

At Arg's 30th birthday party, he stood up and practically declared his love for Gemma, telling the congregation, "Gemma you're so lovely to me, you're always there whenever I need you. You treat me with such respect, you're kind to me and you make me laugh so much." They then had a lovely kiss.

Laurence Hearn, January 201812 of 13
CREDIT: Instagram

Laurence Hearn, January 2018

Although things seemed to be going well for the pair, fans were left confused when the GC met Laurence whilst taking part in the January 2018 series of Celebs Go Dating, and it seemed to be successful for her as she got on well with car expert Laurence Hearn, but things fizzled out in March when she dumped him LIVE on Loose Women, and she got back with Arg.

James Argent, April 201813 of 13
CREDIT: Getty Images

James Argent, April 2018

Arg officially asked Gemma to be his girlfriend on TOWIE in April 2018, and the pair don't seem to have looked back since! He's been supporting her during her stint on Dancing On Ice and they've even been talking about having children together.HOWEVER - in March 2019, Arg and Gem briefly split after Arg was found to have sent Gemma some VILE texts. Reports suggested that Gemma 'kicked Arg out of the house' after he shared a video of her snoring, before things escalated and he reportedly told her she has 'more rolls than Greggs'.There were also reports that when Gemma asked Arg to leave her home, the TOWIE star added, 'You fat horrible lump. Nasty mean woman. Who the f--- do you think you are? You've got more rolls than Greggs.' [sic]Thankfully, they're back on track as of March 2019!

Since returning from a rehab centre in Thailand in March, Arg has faced his demons, shaped up and lost an impressive 5st. And despite Gem being thrilled that he’s back on track and that they’re back together, she can’t help but feel the pressure to match his health and fitness glow-up.

“As much as Gem wants to be happy for him, she’s just feeling really worried that – with his new body – there will be a new girl around the corner,” we are told. “Arg has obviously got form for straying in the past, so she’s not completely mad to be worrying about this, but her pals have tried to reassure her. Seeing how well he’s doing without her is making her wonder if they’re really right for each other after all.”

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Since self-isolating with her family, including her brother Russell and his children, we’re told that Gemma’s been feeling lonely and increasingly insecure. While Arg, 32, has done his best to reassure the star that he only has eyes for her – even posting a picture of them kissing alongside the caption, “Lockdown absolutely sucks without you, GC” – she’s been giving herself a hard time.

According to our source, seeing Arg in recent pictures looking happy, healthy and relaxed finally got too much for her, and she decided she had to see him in real life to ease her concerns, despite lockdown restrictions. According to onlookers, the GC parked “down the street and in someone else’s driveway” before heading into Arg’s place, only returning to her brother’s house the following day.

Try FaceTiming him next time, Gem. It will save you petrol money AND attract a whole lot less disapproval.

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