TOWIE’s James Argent, 35, ‘heartbroken’ after splitting from girlfriend Stella Turian, 19, following a year together

James Argent has split from girlfriend Stella Turian following a year together, MailOnline can reveal.

The former TOWIE star, 35, started dating Italian law student Stella, 19, in September last year and the couple have since travelled to the likes of Verona, Lake Garda, Venice, and Positano together.

But the distance between them became a problem this summer as singer Arg performed at weddings both in the UK and Marbella and they struggled to see each other, and the breakup has left the TV personality ‘heartbroken.’ 

Arg batted off criticism regarding their age gap by the likes of comedian Katherine Ryan, 40, during their time together, and according to insiders, the 16-year difference was not a factor behind the split.

A source close to Arg has told MailOnline that while he knows their separation is for the best, he still feels upset, he loved Stella and together they made unforgettable memories.

They said: ‘Despite being in a long-distance relationship, James and Stella managed to make things work for over a year.

‘But 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 her 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.’

Stella, who lives on a ski resort in the Italian mountains, is not only pursuing a law career but also acting, making it even harder for her and James to see each other.

It was James’s first romance since his on/off relationship with Gemma Collins, 42, finally came to an end in 2020.

The following year it was speculated that James could have rekindled with childhood sweetheart and former co-star Lydia Bright, 32, after MailOnline revealed that the exes were spending time together in secret.

But in the summer of 2022 Arg met Stella at a wedding in Mykonos with insiders saying he had fallen head over heels for the aspiring model.

Speaking last month, James said that he was ‘really happy’ with Stella, and he could even see marriage in their future.

After news of their romance became public, comedian Katherine Ryan posted on her Instagram story an image of her stern face alongside the comment: ‘Me – a mother – finding out a 35-year-old TOWIE star has an 18-year-old girlfriend.’

She has also spoken out about Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, 48, who is well-known for dating women considerably younger than him, saying it’s ‘gross’ and ‘weird’ for ‘famous men to date teenagers.’

The mother-of-three acknowledged that James has endured difficult times and appreciates that the Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins star could be in a ‘vulnerable’ position. 

James previously told MailOnline that Stella had been understanding of the issues he has overcome in his life, including drug and alcohol addiction and an unhealthy relationship with food.

After three stints in rehab, James is now sober and has dropped from 27 to 14 stone.

As well as focusing his energy on boxing and eating a balanced diet, Arg underwent gastric sleeve surgery in 2021 and later had a tummy tuck to remove the excess skin around his stomach.

James has been open about the demons he has faced, with the reality personality suffering two near-fatal overdoses at home.

In February 2021, James explained that it has been an uphill battle getting sober and he constantly reminds himself not to get ‘too complacent.’

He told MailOnline: ‘I have been through a hell of a lot, and it’s taken a lot to get to the place where I am now.

‘There are days where I still struggle and feel down but now, I have the tools to use when I am going through those difficult times.

‘I am well over a year clean and sober, which is the most important thing. I’ve got all my weight off, I’m no longer binge eating or overeating, and I’m surrounding myself with good positive people and doing positive things.

‘I do feel so much happier and healthier and I’m in a position where in the past I might have tried getting myself better physically and mentally for a girlfriend or for jobs but now I’m just doing it for me and I feel good, I just can’t get too complacent.’

MailOnline has approached James’s representative for comment.