James Argent has spoken out after attacking his girlfriend while on holiday. The former The Only Way Is Essex star and Nicoline Artursson had been holidaying on the Costa del Sol when the attack took place.

Argent, 37, was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence by the Spanish Civil Guard and taken into custody on Sunday, May 5. Onlookers who witnessed the incident had told the Mirror that they heard an “aggressive man yelling” while also “throwing objects” from the terrace of a nearby house.

The reality star, who found fame on the ITVBe reality programme, admitted to “mistreating” Nicoline in the Court of Violence Against Women in Fuengirola. He was given a suspended jail sentence and must carry out a “resocialisation course in the field of gender violence”. He has reportedly been given a restraining order, preventing him from contacting his girlfriend.

Speaking out for the first time since his arrest, the wedding singer said: “I am devastated by what’s happened.” He went on to tell the Daily Mail that he hadn’t relapsed, explaining: “I am still three years and four months clean and sober.”

James and Nicoline had been holidaying in Spain ( 
Image:
David Cummings)

When approached by the Mirror about the incident, a spokesperson for the Guardia Civil confirmed Argent’s arrest. They said: “We can confirm Mr Argent was arrested by ‘Policia Local’ of Mijas for an alleged crime of domestic violence on 5th May.”

Meanwhile, an onlooker told the Mirror: “We were frightened by his shouts. We couldn’t believe what we were seeing.” They added that Nicole “appeared to be physically and emotionally devastated.” Nicoline’s mother arrived at the scene to assist her daughter and the local police transported them both to a hospital.

Arg is believed to be “remorseful about what happened but is insisting he never meant any harm,” reports The Sun. Argent rose to fame as an original cast member on The Only Way Is Essex, appearing on the ITV series from 2010 until 2018. Over the years, the 37-year-old singer has taken part in a number of reality TV shows, including Celebrity Super Spa, The Jump, Sugar Free Farm and Celebs Go Dating.

Friends of the star say he is ‘remorseful’ and didn’t mean to cause harm ( 
Image:
David Cummings)
TOWIE suspended Argent from filming in October 2014 when he failed a drug test. He later attended rehab before returning to the series. The reality TV star has regularly been an inpatient at centres due to his issues with drug addiction.

Speaking in 2023, Argent said: “I battled with [drug addiction] for a number of years. But I’ve got through it and I’m doing alright. I’m doing well. I’m clean, sober, and I have been for a long time now.”

Argent, who also works as a wedding singer, underwent a sleeve gastrectomy procedure in April 2021, after his weight reached 27 stone. “I had a bad relationship with food. I would either do no exercise at all and binge eat or I would starve myself and train three times a day,” told GB News two years on from the surgery.

“I was either morbidly obese or slim. I was constantly yo-yo ing .I now have a great relationship with food and with exercise and I have got the balance right. I am proud of what I have achieved.”

*For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit