He previously threatened to pull out of the charity striptease after he struggled to shed his clothes due to his ‘body image’ insecurities.
Despite his apprehension, James ‘Arg’ Argent made a triumphant appearance on stage as part of ITV’s The Real Full Monty on Wednesday night in Sheffield’s City Hall to raise awareness for prostate and testicular cancer.
The 30-year-old TOWIE star joined the likes of dancer Ashley Banjo, The Wanted’s Tom Parker, chef Ainsley Harriot, presenter Alexander Armstrong, Jeff Brazier and former footballer John Hartson to proudly take his kit off for a worthwhile cause.
Stripping off: James ‘Arg’ Argent made a triumphant appearance on stage as part of ITV’s The Real Full Monty on Wednesday night to raise awareness for prostate and testicular cancer
In a clip from earlier in the show, he refused to strip off during their training sessions leaving his T-shirt on and even worried about taking his kit off while showering with his fellow celebrities as he admitted the project was ‘exposing some insecurities’.
He shared: ‘I’m not gonna lie the thought of taking my kit off, the shape I’m in at the moment, petrifies me. I need to make some changes.’
Yet, James, who has lost 3 stone since soaring to fame, overcame his fears and took part in the live performance in Sheffield, dedicating it to his grandfather Seamus Hanley, who died of prostate cancer 15 years ago.
For a great cause: The 30-year-old TOWIE star joined presenter Alexander Armstrong, Jeff Brazier, John Patridge and Ashley Banjo to proudly take his kit off for a worthwhile cause
Proud: The celebrities proudly showcased their physiques during the routine
Dedicated: Yet, James, who has lost 3 stone since soaring to fame, overcame his fears and took part in the live performance in Sheffield, dedicating it to his grandfather Seamus Hanley, who died of prostate cancer 15 years ago
Committing to the routine, the reality favourite paid tribute to the original 1997 film, dressed in a security guard’s uniform equipped with the statement cap alongside his fellow celebrities.
The ITVBe star got into the spirit of the evening and eventually stripped to his Birthday suit, carefully placing his trusty hat over his modesty to a supportive audience who cheered them all the way through.
Applauding his efforts, his girlfriend Gemma Collins took to social media to praise him for stepping out of his comfort zone and celebrate his courage.
Security! The group began dancing in their security guard uniforms
Getting hot under the collar: The celebrities got into the performance as they ripped open their shirts
Dance, dance: The nine famous faces oozed confidence onstage
Committed: Committing to the routine, the reality favourite paid tribute to the original 1997 film, dressed in a security guard’s uniform equipped with the statement cap
Fun-filled: They took the performance in their stride
Hats on! Alexander, Jeff and John pulled a number of animated looks during the performance
Red hot! Arg was joined by John and Ashley on stage in their tiny red underwear
Undressed to impress: Arg whipped off his trousers
Sharing a selfie of the pair on her Instagram, the 35-year-old gushed: ‘So PROUD of you tonight #realfullmontylive.
‘Your always gorgeous to me no matter what and don’t like to see you so insecure about your body you must never be insecure and always own who you are all different it’s what’s in your heart that always counts’.
She continued her tribute using the hashtags: ‘#supportyourman #bodyconfidence #selflove’.
Dedication: Arg dedicated his performance to his grandfather Seamus
Praise: Applauding his efforts, his girlfriend Gemma Collins took to social media to praise him for stepping out of his comfort zone and celebrate his courage
Pals: Arg’s friend Ferne McCann and Stacey Solomon shared they support for the star
However it wasn’t only the reality queen who praised James for his efforts but viewers at home, who took to Twitter in their droves to congratulate him on his performance.
One viewer shared: ‘@RealJamesArgent should be so proud of himself! To watch him from the start to the finish and the confidence he got was amazing! You did it Arg! you should be so happy.’
‘My levels of respect for @RealJamesArgent have just doubled… what a guy! Respect,’ another wrote. ‘Poor Arg he was bricking it all the way through the show. Hats off to ya @RealJamesArgent you did it lad, your grandad will b proud’.
A fan shared: ‘Well done Arg not only getting the all important message out there about the big C but also showing ppl boys have insecurities too. So glad you overcame them for the live ! You looked amazing’ (sic).
Support: However it wasn’t only the reality queen who praised James for his efforts but viewers at home, who took to Twitter in their droves to congratulate him on his performance
‘I thought James wouldn’t go though with it but glad he’s done it and made his grandad proud,’ a viewer wrote. ‘Arg did sooo well. He’s looking quite buff with his amazing weight loss. Good on him. Gemma’s a lucky lady’.
While another posted: ‘@RealJamesArgent has tonight shown body confidence issues aren’t only with women and totally hats off to you arg you should be proud of your self! You did a great job as did the other lads.’
The celebrities raised funds being donated to Movember, Prostate Cancer UK, Cancer Research and Everyman.
Triumphant: The celebrities received a wealth of support
Cheers: They performed to a raucous crowd
Taking it a step further: They removed their small red thong underwear
Flash: Arg appeared to have a bit of trouble removing his fully
His appearance comes after he reportedly threatened to pull out of The Real Full Monty on Tuesday.
According to The Sun, the Celebs Go Dating star was struggling with the idea of shedding his clothes for the strip show due to his ‘body image issues.
It is even claimed that James ‘hasn’t yet been able to shed his clothes even when practising with the rest of the boys’ – leaving everyone on tenterhooks to see if he’ll brave the bold move.
A source told the publication: ‘It’s no secret that James has struggled with body image issues, so the thought of stripping off has unsurprisingly left him feeling nervous.
Joy: The men cheered as they stood on the stage completely
Cheeky: They showcased their posteriors before whipping off their hats
Jubilant: They hugged each other following their performance
Delight: They couldn’t contain their joy at completing the routine
Having fun: They cheered and jumped while completely naked
Hosts: Ashley and Alexander MC-ed the evening
‘The rest of the Full Monty crew have been really good and encouraging. He won’t want to let them down,’ it was revealed.
A snap from rehearsals also saw James wearing a white shirt, while the rest of the line-up were completely naked and cover their manhood with a hat.
It follows on from Alexander Armstrong admitting on This Morning that he was unsure if James was brave enough to take his clothes off live on stage.
He said: ‘We’re still persuading Arg if I’m honest. We’ve had a lot of discussion about whether he will do the Full Monty – I personally think he will.
Awareness: Dr Chris Steele, Ashley Banjo, Alexander Armstrong, Elliot Wright, Wayne Sleep, Mark Foster, Matthew Wolfenden and Dominic Littlewood all appeared on stage together
Chatting: Dominic chatted away to Ashley during the show
Talking: The hosts were joined by a number of famous faces to discuss raising awareness for prostate and testicular cancer
In the crowd: Last year’s cast sat in the crowd with Dominic sitting completely nude
Joking around: Elliot wrapped his around Wayne Sleep
Dance to it: The former cast members danced around the studio
Beaming: Wayne showcased a few moves
Cheery: The CBB star couldn’t contain his joy during the show
Crowd pleasing: Former Olympic swimmer Mark Foster and Emmerdale’s Matthew Wolfenden (R) supported the new cast from the crowd
‘But he didn’t even take his shoes off in the audition! Every second we’ve spent in Arg’s company has been hilarious.
Ashley added: ‘I’m not sure he will take his kit off, this is live tomorrow so have no idea what’s going to happen.’
Hearing them speak about him, the TOWIE star made an impromptu appearance on camera, hitting back: ‘I can hear you! I’m in Sheffield, I made it here but I didn’t make the same train as the lads.
Host with the most: Alexander chatted to the crowd
Coy: Ashley pulled a face as he prepared to go behind a gold curtain with Dr Chris
Checked out: Furthering raising awareness about prostate and testicular cancer, Ashley underwent a live testicle check performed by This Morning’s very own Dr Chris Steele
Test: While former cast members of the 2017 Full Monty show appeared on stage, the show hosts asked the men in the studio audience to stand up while Dr Chris began narrating exactly how to check yourself
‘After much persuasion I’m here… but the performance is a different kettle of fish. I’m sure I’ll be here tomorrow night, I haven’t yet taken my clothes off during rehearsal but I can’t let the boys down.’
Furthering raising awareness about prostate and testicular cancer, Ashley underwent a live testicle check performed by This Morning’s very own Dr Chris Steele.
While former cast members of the 2017 Full Monty show appeared on stage, the show hosts asked the men in the studio audience to stand up while Dr Chris began narrating exactly how to check yourself.