James ‘Arg’ Argent has reportedly checked himself into a self-help retreat in Thailand.
The 29-year-old ‘TOWIE’ star – who previously battled with his weight, spent time in rehab and admitted to being "badly depressed" – has taken some time off from filming the show in order to focus on his wellbeing and jetted to a Thai retreat, where he has been enjoying daily meditation sessions.
A source told The Sun: "Arg is in Thailand where he is trying to clean up his act. He wants to sort out his head and beat his demons once and for all.
"Being so far away from Essex and the bright lights is hopefully going to help him – acting as a kind of rehabilitation process. He is trying to make himself a better person and is doing some soul-searching.
"He wants to come back to the show stronger and is looking forward to doing so at some point in the future.
"Everyone just wants what is best for him."
Back in 2015, Arg was suspended from the ITV Be show for failing to turn up to filming amid rumours of drug and alcohol abuse and he admitted his best friend Mark Wright threatened to ban him from his wedding to Michelle Keegan if he didn’t turn his life around.
He said: "I’m embarrassed to say this but so many people tried [to help] and got pushed away.
"Mark told me I wasn’t invited to his wedding if I didn’t change. When I went into rehab he got in touch because he was so proud of me.
"Underneath everything I was badly depressed. I was so anxious and tired."
"At that point I was hiding from everyone in my flat. Lydia [Bright] would beg me to open the door. My mum would come round crying and I’d pretend I wasn’t there. I just couldn’t face anyone."
James Argent checks into self-health retreat
