What's behind the photos of James 'Arg' Argent after horrific attack on girlfriend. The Showbiz team were begged to write nice things about him, says CODIE BULLEN. Now I reveal why Mark Wright STILL stands by him

Smiling and surrounded by friends at one of Essex's most famous social hotspots – the Turkish restaurant Sheesh – James 'Arg' Argent looked like the happiest man alive.

In footage posted to social media last night, The Only Way Is Essex (Towie) reality star danced and sang with his pal Dan Edgar with a lively crowd in the background. Anyone unfamiliar with Argent could be forgiven for thinking he was a man who didn't have a care in the world.

But the truth is rather different. For, just a few months ago, he made headlines after a horrific attack on his now ex-girlfriend Nicoline Artursson, leaving everyone close to him gobsmacked.

In May, he was handed a six-month suspended prison sentence for the domestic violence offence, in which he shoved Nicoline down a flight of steps during a heated row outside her apartment in Spain. She was left with cuts and bruises to her neck, arms, hand and leg after the fall, says to a court filing.

Court papers obtained by The Sun showed Argent, who raked in £5,000 a week last year, was only required to pay Nicoline £250 in damages. He was also issued with a two-year restraining order against the fashion model, 32, and the court ordered him to complete a course on gender violence.

But, as the troubled star now tries to rebuild his life, his loyal Towie pals have publicly rallied round him.

For months, those who know Argent in Essex have insisted to the Daily Mail that he is an 'amazing guy'. One shockingly begged our Showbiz desk to write flattering stories about him following the violent incident.

The friend said: 'Arg is lovely, this isn't him, he's a lovely man. We all love him. Can't you write something positive?'

One of the main figures standing by Argent is his best friend and Towie co-star Mark Wright, who has been there for him throughout his low points – of which there have been many.

Argent has spoken openly about his battles with drink and drug addiction since finding fame on Towie. In 2014, he was suspended from the show after he failed a routine drugs test.

The TV star then spent three months in a facility in Thailand over the festive season in 2016 in order to get the 'ongoing support' he needed.

But in 2019, following a split with then-girlfriend and fellow Towie cast member Gemma Collins, Argent relapsed and was hospitalised twice after overdosing on drugs at his home.

Determined to get better, Argent took himself out of the limelight and tried to reinvent himself as a singer after losing 14 stone – later admitting he'd had a 'life-changing' gastric sleeve fitted.

And Mark has stuck by Argent, appearing in public and on social media with his friend. He has said he will 'never stop worrying about his pal'.

I'm told by a source that his loyalty has even caused friction in his relationship with wife Michelle Keegan, who 'has zero tolerance when it comes to domestic abuse and has lost respect for Arg'.

The couple enjoyed their first holiday abroad since welcoming their daughter, Palma, in March, at a luxury resort in the Spanish countryside.

Far from it being a romantic holiday for the couple, they took Argent in tow – despite Michelle's reported feelings.

Though he did not appear in any photos from the trip, Argent could be seen in the background of a TikTok video posted by Mark's younger sister, Natalya.

Argent also remains close to his ex-girlfriend and Towie co-star Lydia Bright, admitting 'we speak on the phone every day'.

While Argent hasn't been as active on social media over the past few months, he did make sure to post photos from two weddings he attended this year.

Towie's Megan McKenna tied the knot with professional footballer Oliver Burke in North Yorkshire, and was seen dancing and singing with Argent on her big day. 'I can't tell you how much it meant to me that you wanted me there on your special wedding day,' he captioned the photos.

And Argent posed for a beaming snap with newlyweds Georgia Kousoulou and Tommy Mal Fordham in Mallorca this year, saying: 'You've both always supported me. I can't wait to make many more memories together as we get older. I love you both so much.'

Argent's more unlikely supporter, however, comes in the form of his ex-girlfriend, Gemma Collins.

The pair finally split for good five years ago, following an on-again-off-again relationship which saw Gemma accuse Argent of being abusive and fat-shaming her.

Despite things ending on a sour note, the pair seemed on good terms as they enjoyed a cosy reunion at Winter Wonderland in London's Hyde Park earlier this month. The exes looked in good spirits as they caught up alongside a group of friends.

So, though Argent's ex Nicoline has claimed their relationship has left her 'wounded inside', he clearly doesn't have the same problem.

And he's got his loyal friends to thank for that.