TOWIE fans are in for an early Christmas treat as James 'Arg' Argent has made his big return to the set.
Arg, 36, has been snapped filming this year's festival special of The Only Way Is Essex with a big smile on his face.
It is the first time in six years that the star will appear on the ITVBe show and he is delighted to reunite with some old pals.
In new pictures, Arg can be seen giving his good friends James ‘Diags’ Bennewith and Dan Edgar a massive hug.
The trio were caught on camera as they filmed together at Hurley's Christmas Tree Farm in Wickford, Essex.
Both Arg and Diags had even donned Santa hats for the occasion, before helping Dan to select a tree.
The lads then had a good laugh as they chopped down the fir before bundling it in to the back of Diags' van.
Arg seemed in great spirits as he got back to doing what he is best known for with his mates.
At one point, the trio even posed for a selfie together.
The pictures come just days after The Sun exclusively revealed Arg's big Towie comeback.
It is six years since he appeared in the reality show, having been dropped in 2019 following a positive result for cocaine during a routine drugs test.
Since then, Arg has turned his life around - losing 13st, staying clean and raking in cash performing with his band, The Arg Band.
James Argent talks about losing his virginity on The Only Way Is Essex
His love life has also been moving in the right direction.
In September, Arg confirmed his romance with his model girlfriend Nicoline Artursson after a romantic holiday.
Going Instagram official with the 31-year-old, Arg - a Towie OG - shared snaps of them enjoying a date at a restaurant.
His return to Towie has come at the perfect time and he is said to be "excited" to reunite with the cast and production team.
A source told us: “Arg is really excited to be back filming this cameo with cast and crew.
"It’s been a long time since he was last on Towie and he’s in such a great place personally.
"He felt like this was the perfect moment for him to pop back to see his Towie pals, old and new."
