Mark Wright banned James ‘Arg’ Argent from his wedding.
The ‘Only Way Is Essex’ star has revealed his best pal and former co-star told him he wouldn’t be invited to his upcoming nuptials to fiancee Michelle Keegan if he didn’t turn his life around.
Speaking about being suspended from the ITV Be show for failing to turn up to filming amid rumours of drug and alcohol abuse, James shared: "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."
Arg spent his 27th birthday and Christmas in a rehab facility last year after finally deciding to face his demons and he now wishes he’d acted sooner.
He told Now magazine: "Underneath everything I was badly depressed. I was so anxious and tired."
The seemingly happy-go-lucky reality star claims his friends and family – including ex-girlfriend Lydia Bright – attempting to get him to seek help didn’t work because he had to realise for himself what was wrong.
He explained: "At that point I was hiding from everyone in my flat. Lydia 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."
However, after losing over a stone in weight since he first started rehab 65 days ago, Arg admits he’s feeling much more positive and wants to prove he’s "worthy" of returning to TOWIE.
He added: "I want to make all the people I shamed proud of me again."
Mark Wright banned James ‘Arg’ Argent from his wedding
