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James Argent reveals fears he would die during gastric op

DARWEN, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: James Argent attends the launch of the Ssangyong Musso pick up at Fun Motor Group on November 29, 2018 in Darwen, England. (Photo by Carla Speight/Getty Images)
James Argent has had gastric surgery (Photo by Carla Speight/Getty Images)

James Argent has opened up about fears for his life after doctors told him there was a chance he could die during his weight loss surgery.

The Towie regular has had gastric surgery which involved removing a large part of his stomach to help him slim down to a healthy size after his weight rocketed to 27 stone during lockdown, leaving him in a high risk category for coronavirus.

Read more: James Argent says coronavirus could kill him because of weight

But reality TV star Argent admitted he had been frightened when told there was a small chance he might not survive the op, and had come dangerously close to being too big to have the surgery at all.

He told The Sun: “This is the biggest operation I’ve ever had in my life, so I was scared. I did say to the surgeon, ‘Is there a chance I might not wake up?’ He said there was a small chance.”

James Argent says he has been warned coronavirus could be fatal at his current weight. (ITV)
James Argent recently said he had been warned coronavirus could be fatal at his current weight (ITV)

Argent has spoken before about having replaced his reliance of drink and drugs with a junk food addiction, but said he was determined to reach his goal weight of 16 stone within 18 months.

Talking about getting ready for surgery, he admitted that he had difficulties with the doctor's order to stick to 1,000 calories a day and keep his BMI below 50, saying it was 49.7 when he went into hospital.

He said: “I did struggle. There were a few times I found it too hard and couldn’t stick to it. I was almost too big to have the operation, which is scary.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 01:  Lydia Bright and James Argent leaving The Intern - Special screening hosted by Lydia Bright at The Electric Cinema Shoreditch on October 1, 2015 in London, England.  (Photo by Neil P. Mockford/Getty Images for Warner Bros.)
Lydia Bright and James Argent in 2015 (Photo by Neil P. Mockford/Getty Images for Warner Bros.)

Now, Arg will have to swap solid meals for shakes and juices for six weeks while his stomach heals and said he planned to get fit with best pal Mark Wright when he had recovered, and go on a holiday with Joey Essex.

He also revealed he has grown close to ex Lydia Bright, who recently welcomed her first child as a single mum, and that she has been supporting him through his weight loss battle.

Arg said: "I’m very fond of Lydia. I’m lucky to have her in my life and for us to be such close friends. But my whole weight loss journey isn’t to try and win anyone back and it isn’t for any particular woman. I am doing this genuinely for myself.”

Watch: Gemma Collins 'felt suicidal' when James Argent romance broke down