James Argent seen for first time since ex Gemma Collins apologised for releasing texts

James Argent was seen for the first time since his ex Gemma Collins apologised for releasing explosive text messages he had sent her. 

The TOWIE star, 32, appeared to take his mind off their bitter split as he enjoyed a scooter ride in Loughton on Wednesday.

Arg has made headlines throughout this week as he was exposed for branding his former partner, 39, a ‘hippo’ and a ‘fat f**k’ in a row over another woman, with friends reportedly urging him to ‘sort his life out’. 

The TV star proved safety comes first as he sported a baby blue helmet, which coordinated with his Vespa.

James ensured he kept his red loafers clean as he covered them with plastic bags while cruising along the roads. 

Opting for comfort, the media personality teamed a baggy navy jumper with cosy grey shorts.

According to The Sun, a source close to Arg allegedly claimed he needs to ‘grow up’ after seeing his dispute with Gemma.

They told the publication: ‘The way James is treating Gemma right now is totally out of order.

‘Gemma stuck by James for months when he was in rehab. And when he got home she was the first one there welcoming him with open arms.

Gemma put her life on hold and now James has repaid her by behaving like this. He needs to grow up and realise he has a good thing with Gemma.’

The insider also said their highly-publicised argument could affect his comeback on TOWIE for the upcoming 10th anniversary show this autumn.  

MailOnline has contacted Arg’s representatives for further comment.  

Earlier in the day, Gemma returned to the UK after she apologised to her former beau for releasing the messages following a brief trip to Tenerife. 

In a screenshot obtained by MailOnline, the Diva On Lockdown star contacts her fellow reality star in the early hours of the morning.

She writes: ‘I am sorry about putting the messages up, I was just so hurt you suggested an open relationship, it didn’t look like a joke when you typed it. 

‘I was so upset but I shouldn’t have put the messages up, that was anger on my part which was wrong. I am so sorry about that x.’ (sic)

The GC has originally posted the fierce row that led to her breaking up with her on-off beau on social media.   

In the texts, the musician called his partner a ‘hippo’ and a ‘fat f**k’, after she suggested that he had bought another woman dinner and not her. 

The series of texts began with Gemma saying: ‘What man pays for another woman!!!’, while Arg responded by saying: ‘Insensitive.’ 

Clearly riled, the blonde said: ‘And the woman that saved your life has to pay for herself!!!’

Her next message was masked, but her now-ex responded: ‘You are supposed to be treating me you hippo.’ 

Moments later, Gemma uploaded another series of messages, where he sent her a plane emoji in reply to a picture of flight details. 

‘I’ll take a mate, I’m not booking it. You said you would be a gentleman!’, she penned, before he shockingly said: ‘YOU FAT F**K. IVE JUST LOST ANOTHER 2000’ (sic). He didn’t refer to what he had lost 2000 of. 

The self-proclaimed diva has decided to take some time off social media, citing that she was ‘devastated’ and ‘heartbroken’ by the exchange. 

It was reported on Monday that Gemma had decided to split with Arg after he told her he wanted to move to Spain and have an open relationship. 

An insider told The Sun: ‘Arg went to Spain and he told Gemma that he wants to go back there forever and be in an open relationship.

‘Gemma feels like she’s done everything she possibly can to help Arg but enough is enough. He said that he wants to stay in Spain for good which is worrying as he is known to have suffered relapses there in the past.

‘Gemma was devastated by the conversation and decided to end their relationship entirely – she feels like she had no choice but to walk away. 

‘It couldn’t have ended any worse; she has been in floods of tears and has even blocked Arg on social media.’  

The Essex native also uploaded a cryptic post about the ‘Top 10 Signs of Emotional Abuse In A Relationship’ and ‘finding the strength to walk away’ earlier in the week. 

She wrote: ‘To all who have suffered in lock down or are suffering in general. please please find your strength to walk away. 

‘There is a better life for you filled with love and respect and always remember the problem isn’t within you it’s within them. 

‘Walk away it’s never too late. something will happen one day and you will just say enough is enough. It’s in that moment the nightmare is over. this is when you find your strength and this is when you will learn self love.’ (sic)  

Arg, who has shed five stone following rehab, recently admitted he is a cocaine addict and overdosed twice last year before hitting rock bottom over Christmas and calling his friend and former co-star Mark Wright for help.

He checked himself into a 10-week bootcamp at The River rehab facility in Thailand earlier this year where he kicked his habit, and now attends an outpatient facility near his Essex home regularly.

The Sugar Free Farm star still intends to lose another three stone and is already feeling ‘so much better in myself’.  

The couple reconciled late last year after jetting off on holiday to Dubai in a final bid to resolve their issues.  

Gemma originally dumped Arg after he refused rehab and said their relationship was over until he beat his addiction once and for all. 

But less than three weeks later, MailOnline exclusively revealed the reality TV pair were spotted holding hands and kissing on a romantic trip to the £250-a-night Palazzo Versace Hotel. 

The duo briefly dated in 2012, before embarking on a tumultuous love story from December 2017. 

It’s not the first time Arg has sent hurtful messages to a girlfriend, with the reality star previously confessing during an episode of TOWIE that he had sent cruel emails to his former girlfriend Lydia Bright.

The pair had dated on and off for years until 2012, before they decided to give things another try in April 2015. Arg sent the emails to Lydia in 2016, calling the blonde ‘a butters sl*t’.