JAMES Argent’s ex Stella Turian appeared to take a cryptic swipe at the shamed Towie star - just days before his domestic violence arrest.
Italian law student Stella, 21, who ended her year-long relationship with the 37-year-old in late 2023, shared a stunning photo to Instagram over the weekend.
Posing in a gorgeous white dress with a serene ocean backdrop, Stella continued her photo dump with beach snaps where she sizzled in a yellow bikini.
Stella also included shots of a chic storefront and dessert display at a high-end restaurant.
However, it was her caption that quickly caught the eye of fans.
She wrote, “The secret of happiness ? Sea, Sicilian sweets and the right people next to you."
Given the timing, some interpreted her words as a clear indication of the peace she’s found since parting ways with James.
The couple's relationship was met with raised eyebrows due to their large age gap.
Arg met Stella at a wedding in Mykonos, Greece in the summer of 2022.
At the time of their split, a source told MailOnline it was the realities of a long-distance relationship that were to blame.
The insider said: "Throughout the summer it became increasingly difficult for them to meet up due to their work commitments.
"There are no hard feelings between them, they still follow each other on Instagram, and James is even invited to come out to ski with Stella and family early next year.
"They made lasting memories, travelling around the most romantic parts of Italy together and Stella visited London for the first time to see James, but for now they have mutually agreed that their relationship is over."
He soon moved on with stunning former Miss Sweden Nicoline Artursson, 32.
But, last night, The Sun revealed James had been handed a suspended prison sentence after pushing her down some steps on holiday.
Neighbours called the police when they heard Nicoline screaming in La Cala de Mijas on the Costa del Sol.
He spent several hours in police cells before admitting a charge of domestic violence in court the same day.
James was given a six-month suspended sentence and a two-year restraining order to stop him seeing or even contacting Nicoline, who he had been dating for 11 months.
An insider told The Sun: “James and Nicoline had a row that turned nasty and he pushed her over. He was arrested and taken to a station where he was put in the cells for a few hours.
“James complied with the police and the matter was resolved in the court on the same day.
“Their relationship is over and they can no longer speak or contact one another.”
Nicoline was believed to be with James in her apartment at La Cala de Mijas when he turned aggressive and tried to force her out of her front door.
During the ensuing struggle, Argent pushed her and she fell down the steps.
Worried neighbours called the police after hearing Nicoline’s screams.
It is understood she suffered injuries and required hospital treatment.
Sources claim James left Nicoline at the scene but he was soon arrested by local police and hauled to the cells on Bank Holiday Monday.
James was later taken to the Court of Violence Against Women in Fuengirola where he admitted “mistreating” Nicoline, who was also present in court.
As well as the suspended jail term and restraining order, judges ordered him to carry out a “resocialisation course in the field of gender violence”.
The incident happened just days after the couple were pictured together on the beach in Calahonda.
It is understood Nicoline has since remained in Spain following her ordeal while James has returned home to his native Essex.
Step in to prevent it
By Emma Armstrong, CEO of charity I Choose Freedom
MOST abuse incidents happen behind closed doors and, because of low conviction rates, no one knows the full scale.
In this case, the restraining order is important as domestic abuse is rarely a one-off.
Including a gender violence course also shows the Spanish court knows prevention is critical.
We will see a meaningful reduction in cases only when we combine a response that deals with the immediate issue, and prevents abuse in future.
Sources close to the telly star insist he is “extremely sorry” for what has happened and insists he never meant to harm Nicoline.
A friend explained: “James has been at home in Essex since this happened.
“He said he had a row with Nicoline and that he tried to end the argument.
"James said he pushed Nicoline and that she fell. He is remorseful about what happened but is insisting he never meant any harm.
“He’s extremely sorry for it.
“James said he was honest when he spoke to the police and told them everything that had happened.”
The TV personality regularly posted pictures of the pair loved-up on holiday.
He went public with his new love in September last year when they flew to Saint-Tropez in the South of France for a romantic getaway.
James confirmed they were dating in an Instagram post that showed them eating at the exclusive Indie Beach.
He wrote: “I honestly started to think that it might not happen for me but I found you and everything changed.”
He added: “Jag älskar dig” which means “I love you” in Swedish.
Nicoline replied: “I love you so much, my man, my James.”
Nicoline and James were also seen together on holiday in Barbados in February.
Domestic abuse - how to get help
DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone - including men - and does not always involve physical violence.
Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship:
- Emotional abuse - Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse - gaslighting - being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to
- Threats and intimidation - Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you
- Physical abuse - This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten.
- Sexual abuse - Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent.
If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers:
- The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night
- Men who are being abused can call Respect Men's Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 or ManKind on 0182 3334 244
- Those who identify as LGBT+ can ring Galop on 0800 999 5428
- If you are in immediate danger or fear for your life, always ring 999
Remember, you are not alone.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime.
Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
She last shared a photograph of herself with him on March 12, when she took him skiing to Sierra Nevada in Spain.
Nicoline captioned the post: “Mountain fun with my hun.”
James last shared a photograph with Nicoline on February 14.
He wrote: “My Swedish valentine. Our next chapter has begun and I’m so excited for what’s to come this year.
“I love you.”
James starred on ITV2’s Towie from 2010 to 2018 and has also appeared on other reality shows including Channel 4’s ski series The Jump.
He has struggled with weight issues and also opened up about an addiction to cocaine, telling The Sun how he had suffered two near-fatal overdoses.
James revealed he first knew he had a problem in 2014 and had stints in rehab before finally getting clean in 2020.
He said he wanted to “own it” the way that people like Davina McCall and Robbie Williams have.
James added: “I look up to those people and they inspire me.
“It’s too early for me to sit here and go, ‘I want to do this so I can help other people and save lives’.
“But it is an ambition of mine further down the line.”
He also sings in a band and plays gigs in the UK and Marbella.
Nicoline started modelling as a teenager and represented Sweden at the Miss World beauty pageant in 2011.
She has worked for brands including Abercrombie & Fitch and previously appeared in the Swedish version of reality show Survivor in 2018.
The Sun contacted James for comment at the time. Nicoline declined to comment.
WEIGHT TROUBLES OF REALITY TV JOKER
By Ellie Henman
JAMES “Arg” Argent became a firm fan favourite when he shot to fame on The Only Way Is Essex in 2010.
Mark Wright’s pal was the joker — and had on-screen romances with his co-stars Lydia Bright and Gemma Collins.
He stayed close with both following their break-ups but has struggled to find lasting love.
Before meeting Nicoline, he had a year-long relationship with Italian model Stella Turian — 17 years his junior.
A year on from their 2023 break-up, Argent hooked up with Nicoline.
He has struggled with weight and in 2016, following a turn on Channel 4 ski show The Jump, he appeared on ITV’s reality show Sugar Free Farm.
But by 2021 his weight had ballooned to more than 27st and he had gastric sleeve surgery.
It helped him lose 14st but he needed surgery to get rid of excess skin.
In May 2023, he told The Sun he had control of his weight and drink and drug demons — and had never felt better.
