They’re arguably the most on/off reality TV couple of all time, but just two months after their latest split, Gemma Collins and James “Arg” Argent appeared to be back on again, as they were snapped on holiday together in Sicily last week.
The reunion is the latest in a long line of make-ups and break-ups between the pair – who first got romantically involved in 2012 after meeting on TOWIE – and fans have seen Gemma, 38, repeatedly break down over each of their splits.
Shockingly, in February, they briefly ended their romance after Arg, 31, called her a “fat, horrible lump” in a series of abusive text messages, before reuniting only to split again in April, reportedly over a heated row about his weight.
Amid all the drama, in May, Arg – who has been to rehab three times – was reportedly sacked from TOWIE, as Gemma fled to America to film her reality show.
It seems inevitable that more heartache is on the horizon for the couple, but pals say that they’re still determined to go the distance, and can’t stay away from each other.
A source reveals, “Despite everything, Gem decided that she wasn’t ready to give up on Arg, and feels she owed it to him to give him another chance. They’re both under no illusion that it won’t be long before they start arguing and split again, but they just can’t seem to resist one another.
“They often bicker about silly things that then blow up into heated rows, but this time Gem is determined not to let minor things build up. She wants them both to be as open and honest as possible about what’s bothering them.
"Arg can be quite a jealous person, and in the past if he’s felt ignored by Gem when her career is soaring, he’ll lash out at her and be quite nasty. But Gem will also fly off the handle when she sees Arg flirting with another girl. They’re both fiery, but it’s usually Gem who becomes the bigger person and tries to sort things out.”
Reality TV couples you forgot about - slider with cover pic
1 of 27Swipe through to see all the reality TV couples you forgot about...
2 of 27Made In Chelsea: Jamie Laing and Louise Thompson
Remember when Jamie and Louise dated (much to Spencer's dismay) in 2012? Louise then left Jamie for Spencer, causing a very traumatic love triangle indeed. Poor Jamie.
3 of 27TOWIE: Mark Wright and Lauren Goodger
Mark Wright and Lauren Goodger's romance played out in the first couple of seasons of TOWIE, and it even involved a very short-lived engagement! However, after dating on and off for 10 years, the pair later ended their romance and Mark went on to marry actress Michelle Keegan.
4 of 27THE Hills: Jason Wahler and Lauren Conrad
She chose Jason over Paris, but that didn't stop Lauren Conrad's romance with Jason Wahler coming to an abrupt end. Following their rocky romance, the pair split and Lauren later married William Tell.
5 of 27Love Island: Kady McDermott and Scott Thomas
Before she joined the cast of TOWIE to date Myles Barnett in 2018, Kady McDermott appeared on Love Island in 2016, where she found love with Ryan and Adam Thomas' brother Scott. Things didn't work out when they left the villa, with the pair announcing their split in 2017.
6 of 27Made In Chelsea: Binky Felstead and Jamie Laing
Binks is now a mum to baby India, but remember when she dated Jamie Laing?!? After years of friendship, the two found it difficult to transition to an actual relationship, so decided to call it a day.
7 of 27TOWIE: Lydia Bright and James 'Arg' Argent
Before he started dating Gemma Collins, James 'Arg' Argent and Lydia Bright were one of TOWIE's golden couples. After being on and off for years, the pair ended things for good in 2016.
8 of 27Love Island: Sam Gowland and Georgia Harrison
He's now loved-up with fellow Geordie Shore star Chloe Ferry, but Sam Gowland first hit our TV screens on Love Island 2017, where he left the villa with former TOWIE star Georgia Harrison.
9 of 27Made In Chelsea: Lucy Watson and Jamie Laing
Jamie and Lucy were together for a bit and would even walk their dogs together. Not one for holding back, Lucy Watson has called the show 'incestuous' and she 'no longer wants to waste time with people like Jamie and Proudlock'.
10 of 27Made In Chelsea: Ollie Locke and Chloe Green
Topshop Heiress Chloe Green joined the MIC lot in 2011 to date Ollie Locke. Ollie had previously dated Gabby who he broke up with to explore his feelings for men, only to then end up with another woman. It did not go down well...
11 of 27TOWIE: Lucy Mecklenburgh and Mario Falcone
Before Lucy started dating former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas, she actually introduced Mario Falcone to TOWIE viewers as her boyfriend. Despite Mario proposing to Lucy on a luxury yacht, things didn't go to plan and their romance ended for good in 2013.
12 of 27Made In Chelsea: Lucy Watson and Proudlock
Ah yes, Lucy and Proudlock. They were the most swoon-worthy couple in SW3... oh, until Lucy found out that Proudlock was dating other women.
13 of 27Love Island: Rykard Jenkins and Rachel Fenton
After meeting on the show in 2016, Rykard and Rachel last 18 months in the real world, a lot longer than most Love Island couples!
14 of 27Made In Chelsea: Rosie Fortescue and Hugo Taylor
When Hugo was dating Millie Mackintosh in the show, he hooked up with her best friend Rosie. Millie then raised her glass to a party full of guests and said 'cheers to friendship'. However, Hugo later reconnected with Millie and the pair MARRIED in July 2018.
15 of 27TOWIE: Charlie Sims and Ferne McCann
These two were actually together for SIX YEARS! But after Charlie decided to quit TOWIE, he later publicly dumped Ferne on Twitter, with reports suggesting he made her choose between him and the show.
16 of 27The Hills: Justin Bobby and Audrina Patridge
Ever since Justin Bobby and Audrina split on The Hills, fans of the popular show have pleaded for them to rekindle their romance, even more so after Audrina announced she was divorcing her husband Corey Bohan.
17 of 27Made In Chelsea: Spencer Matthews and Lucy Watson
Spenny took Lucy to Paris in 2013 and we almost believed he had given up his womanising ways. We were wrong and he admitted to cheating on Lucy with several women. Spencer is now happily married with Vogue Williams, and the pair welcomed a baby boy in 2018!
18 of 27TOWIE: Joey Essex and Sam Faiers
Another TOWIE couple which led to a failed engagement. Despite Sam and Joey dating from 2011, the pair didn't make it down to aisle, ending their relationship in 2014.
19 of 27Made In Chelsea: Spencer Matthews and Louise Thompson
Louise joined the show as Spencer's (very despairing) girlfriend. Spencer being Spencer, couldn't stay faithful and resulted in a fair few teary scenes between the pair.
20 of 27TOWIE: Gemma Collins and Charlie King
Perhaps one of the strangest couples ever to grace TOWIE, The GC dated Charlie King in series four, but Charlie later announced he was gay on live TV.
21 of 27Love Island: Tyla Carr and Jonny Mitchell
After breaking Camilla Thurlow's heart, a lot of Love Island fans forget that Jonny Mitchell later coupled up with Tyla Carr.Of course, the romance didn't last when they left the villa!
22 of 27Made In Chelsea: Alex Mytton and Binky Felstead
Binky and Alex were love's young dream (kind of) for two years until his constant cheating became unforgivable. It all worked out well though as she now has the cutest little baby girl with JP.
23 of 27The Hills: Heidi Montag and Jordan Eubanks
Before she met, married and had a child with Spencer Pratt, Heidi Montag actually dated a guy called Jordan Eubanks on the show. Their romance was played out during season one, before they split.
24 of 27TOWIE: Jess Wright and Ricky Rayment
Potentially one of the messiest break-ups in TOWIE history! After Jess and Ricky dated for two years, things seemed to be going well until Ricky was accused of texting other women. After the split, the pair ended up having a bitter Twitter war!
25 of 27The Hills: Jayde Nicole and Brody Jenner
As well as his 'fake' relationships for the show with Lauren Conrad and Kristen Cavallari, Brody's romance with Jayde seemed pretty serious in 2008. Despite getting matching tattoos, the pair split in December 2009.
26 of 27TOWIE: Lauren Pope and Kirk Norcross
Series two of TOWIE saw the lovable Lauren Pope hooking up with Kirk Norcross. Despite the pair getting his and hers nose jobs', the pair split just weeks after.
27 of 27Love Island: Montana Brown and Alex Beattie
They were one of the hottest couples ever to grace our screens, but things didn't work out for Montana Brown and Alex Beattie when they left the villa in 2017. In fact, their romance lasted just six weeks.
After taking part in Dancing On Ice at the start of the year, Gemma’s career has been on the up – she’s been filming her own reality show in LA, where she hung out with Kim Kardashian’s BFF, Jonathan Cheban, and attended the Hollywood premiere of Godzilla, reportedly catching the eye of a top director in the entertainment industry.
But pals say her focus always goes back to Arg, and that they’ve been speaking to a relationship coach in the US.
A source explains, “Gem’s relationship coach was recommended by Jonathan and they’ve worked with many LA celebrities including the Kardashians. She’s hoping that having a professional guide them will prevent her and Arg from arguing as much as they do.
"They’ve both been told to keep a journal and write down things that are affecting them, rather than keeping everything buried away. They’ll have sessions over Skype with the expert.
“Arg is really open to the idea, as he’s keen to make things work and will do whatever it takes. Gem is still chasing her dream of making it big in America, and her family and friends feel that the last thing she needs is the inevitable drama that comes with dating Arg. They think that it’s just a distraction, keeping Gem from achieving her true potential.”
Both Gemma and Arg have previously discussed their desire to get married and have babies in their future, with Arg vowing in February that he wanted to lose 7st before the pair got married.
Gemma, who spoke about starting a family with Arg earlier this year, also revealed in 2016 that she tragically suffered a miscarriage at four and a half months in 2012, without knowing she was pregnant.
Our source adds that the reality star – who was previously engaged to boyfriend Rami Hawash in 2013 – doesn’t want to waste any more time before achieving her baby dream with Arg, but pals are worried they’ll only end up splitting again.
The source adds, “Gemma’s friends are really worried that getting back together with Arg is just a big mistake and that they’ll never break their toxic relationship patterns. They don’t think he’s ever going to change, and they’re just treading water with each other. They’ve urged Gem to admit defeat, so that she can finally find someone who won’t mess her around, and who can give her the dream of marriage and kids that she so desperately wants.”
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