Slim James Argent hits the gym with Lydia Bright’s sister Roma after 13st weight loss

James Argent cut a sporty figure as he headed out with Lydia Bright’s sister Roma on Wednesday. 

The former TOWIE star, 34, who has lost a staggering 13 stone over the past nine months following gastric sleeve surgery, looked trim in a green padded coat and joggers.

It comes after rumours emerged last month Arg has been secretly meeting up with his ex-girlfriend Lydia, 30. 

Keeping fit: James Argent cut a sporty figure as he headed out with Lydia Bright’s sister Roma on Wednesday, days after his ex-girlfriend Gemma Collins announced she is engaged 

James, who has a close friendship with Roma, 18, looked ready to workout as he pulled a Louis Vuitton gym bag out of the car. 

Keen to keep up his fitness regime after losing nearly half of his 27.5 stone bodyweight, James looked raring to go as he walked through the car park. 

Roma, meanwhile, appeared distracted as she gazed down at her phone. 

Last month rumours swirled that Arg had been secretly meeting his ex-girlfriend Lydia. 

Back on? It comes after rumours emerged last month Arg has been secretly meeting up with his ex-girlfriend Lydia, 30

Back on? It comes after rumours emerged last month Arg has been secretly meeting up with his ex-girlfriend Lydia, 30

Casually-clad: The former TOWIE star, 34, who has lost a staggering 13 stone over the past nine months following gastric sleeve surgery, looked trim in a green padded coat and joggers

Casually-clad: The former TOWIE star, 34, who has lost a staggering 13 stone over the past nine months following gastric sleeve surgery, looked trim in a green padded coat and joggers

Hitting the gym: James, who has a close friendship with Roma, 18, looked ready to workout as he pulled a Louis Vuitton gym bag out of the car

Hitting the gym: James, who has a close friendship with Roma, 18, looked ready to workout as he pulled a Louis Vuitton gym bag out of the car

Motivated: Keen to keep up his fitness regime after losing nearly half of his 27.5 stone bodyweight, James looked raring to go as he walked through the car park

Motivated: Keen to keep up his fitness regime after losing nearly half of his 27.5 stone bodyweight, James looked raring to go as he walked through the car park

Transformation: James Argent looked unrecognisable as he proudly showcased the results of his staggering 13-stone weight loss on Monday, nine months on from his life-saving gastric sleeve surgery

Heading for a swim in an outdoor pool in Essex, a shirtless James had a newfound confidence in comparison to April last year, where he posed for a photo days before the life-saving procedure

Wow: James proudly showcased the results of his staggering 13-stone weight loss on Monday, nine months on from gastric sleeve surgery (pictured right days before surgery in April 2021) 

The former couple were on and off while they starred on TOWIE together – but their relationship ended when James became engulfed by the trappings of fame.  

And now sources close to the pair told MailOnline that James is still considered ‘family’ by Lydia’s mum Debbie, and the prospect of them getting back together motivated him to because ‘it’s all he’s ever wanted.’

An insider told MailOnline: ‘James and Lydia have been spending a lot of time together in recent weeks. 

‘They became friends again at the beginning of the year but now they’re starting to develop more serious feelings for each other. 

Gym buddy: Roma, meanwhile, appeared distracted as she gazed down at her phone

Gym buddy: Roma, meanwhile, appeared distracted as she gazed down at her phone

‘Everyone knows James has never stopped loving Lydia and the idea of her taking him back has spurred him on throughout his weight loss journey.

‘Lydia has been supportive of his recovery, and he’s still considered family – those closest to them are hoping this will be the happy ending they’ve always longed for.’

MailOnline contacted James and Lydia’s representatives for comment at the time.

Lydia has been single following the end of her relationship with Lee Cronin, who’s her daughter Loretta’s father. 

Happy: In July, James was 'inseparable' from Lydia as they both attended his sister Natasha's wedding, posing for photos together with her daughter Loretta (pictured in July)

Happy: In July, James was ‘inseparable’ from Lydia as they both attended his sister Natasha’s wedding, posing for photos together with her daughter Loretta (pictured in July) 

Stayed in touch: Roma has been close friends with Arg for years, due to his previous relationship with her sister Lydia

Stayed in touch: Roma has been close friends with Arg for years, due to his previous relationship with her sister Lydia 

Meanwhile, Arg’s other ex-girlfriend Gemma, 40, confirmed her engagement after accepting a second marriage proposal from long-term boyfriend Rami Hawash. 

Gemma reunited with former fiancé Rami during lockdown, seven years after breaking off their original engagement. 

Following the news, James was pictured holding up a handwritten sign reading ‘GC call off the engagement’ as he larked about at the PDC World Darts Championship at London’s Alexandra Palace on Thursday.  

But she admits they are now looking ahead to their wedding after he proposed for the second time, but is reluctant to make definite marriage plans with the businessman until his divorce from his first wife is finalised. 

Confirming her engagement to The Times, she said: ‘Yeah, but we can’t really come out and say anything yet because Ram was married before and his paperwork has not come through, so until that’s officially signed, we’ve not said anything.’

Engaged: It comes after Arg's ex Gemma Collins recently confirmed her engagement to Rami Hawash after accepting a second marriage proposal (pictured November)

Engaged: It comes after Arg’s ex Gemma Collins recently confirmed her engagement to Rami Hawash after accepting a second marriage proposal (pictured November)

Spring in his step: Arg headed for a swim in an outdoor pool in Essex

Feeling good: A shirtless James had a newfound confidence in comparison to April last year, where he posed for a photo days before the life-saving procedure

Spring in his step: Earlier this week, a shirtless James had a newfound confidence in comparison to April last year as he headed for a swim

Having a laugh: Following the news, James was pictured holding up a handwritten sign reading 'GC call off the engagement' as he larked about at the PDC World Darts Championship

Having a laugh: Following the news, James was pictured holding up a handwritten sign reading ‘GC call off the engagement’ as he larked about at the PDC World Darts Championship

Her relationship with Hawash rekindled last Christmas as Britain braced itself for a third national lockdown, months after her six-year stop-start romance with James came to an end. 

The businessman, who runs a car mechanical repairs company in Romford, dated Gemma for two years before he proposed in December 2013 by hiding an engagement ring in a Christmas pudding.    

James decided to overhaul his lifestyle after battling depression and cocaine addiction. 

After bingeing on food following a rehab stint, Arg decided to get a gastric band surgery last April. 

The procedure sparked him to change his diet for the better and workout regularly, boxing, swimming and going to the gym five times a week.  

History: Lydia and Arg's turbulent romance was well document on TOWIE (pictured in 2011)

History: Lydia and Arg’s turbulent romance was well document on TOWIE (pictured in 2011) 

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