Gemma Collins and James Argent’s diet wars

James “Arg” Argent may have been posting gushing Insta messages about his on/off girlfriend Gemma Collins while he continues on his weight-loss journey, but we’re told she is not feeling quite as positive about their relationship.

“Gem has been moaning that Arg is slimming down faster than she is, and she can’t take the pressure of him losing more weight,” says heat’s insider. “Lockdown has really helped Arg stay on the straight and narrow and he’s been flourishing – for once, he doesn’t feel as though he’s missing out on anything, as everyone is in the same situation.

“He’s turned it into a positive and is more focused than ever.”

Let's relive Gemma Collins' most iconic I'm A Celeb moments, shall we?

Arg, 32, returned from a rehab centre in Thailand in March, after more than two months tackling his addiction issues, and his weight loss – believed to be around 5st – has shocked fans. But now Gemma is feeling the pressure after his impressive transformation.

“Gem is struggling with snack attacks during quarantine – and she hasn’t felt motivated enough to be strict with her diet or to stick to her exercise regime,” says the source. “Even though she wants the best for Arg, she can’t help but feel really annoyed at the thought of him being thinner than her. Gem has moaned that, because she is still working on her reality show, she is under more pressure than ever – and the only way for her to deal with it is to comfort eat. She’s been eating fish and chips, plus sweets and chocolate when she knows she should be sticking to her diet. She’s been moaning to friends that Arg is ‘rubbing it in’ with his Instagram posts.”

Last week, Arg posted a snap of him and Gemma on a previous trip to Paris on Instagram with the supportive caption, “Lockdown absolutely sucks without you GC but I understand you have to entertain the nation & put a smile on peoples’ faces at this difficult time!”

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Gemma’s reality show Diva On Lockdown has seen the TV star address her comfort eating. In the first episode of the show – filmed two weeks before lockdown – the 39 year old admitted, “When I’m stressed, I do two things. I spray loads of perfume and I eat.” She also showed the film crew her stockpiles of super noodles, tins of soup and sweet treats.

And the fact that Arg seems to be doing so well with his dieting is getting Gemma down. “Gem feels that, with Arg not being with her, it’s as though they are in competition with one another to see who can lose the most weight, and it’s driving her mad that Arg is already winning,” our source says.

“Gemma knows that the current situation is making everything worse, but she can’t seem to think positively when it comes to her weight or relationship with Arg. It’s been tough for her to try and put on a brave and happy face for the cameras.”

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