James ‘Arg’ Argent has today opened up about his ‘embarrassment’ over taking off his top due to his recent weight gain.
The Towie star told Good Morning Britain that he’d put on weight over the past year, leading to his confidence plummeting.
But the on-off boyfriend of Gemma Collins is hoping that his appearance on Channel 4's Sink or Swim in aid of Stand Up To Cancer will tackle his body issues.
He said: "I could swim a little bit but I’m not a very confident swimmer. My journey was more about getting my confidence back.
“I've put a lot of weight on and stuff, especially over the last year, when I go on holiday to Spain or wherever, I always avoid the swimming pool or the sea cos I'm so conscious about taking my top off."
James is one of 12 celebrities, including Linford Christie, Coronation Street’s Sair Khan, and Comedian Alex Brooker, who are gearing up to swim the English Channel.
This is an especially big challenge because none of them are confident in the water.
Arg continued: "With me it was kind of more social embarrassment.
"Taking on this massive challenge, even if I worked my hardest and I'm fully committed, am I physically going to be able to swim the Channel in the time frame we've been given."
Arg said that it wasn't just the swimming part that has been challenging.
He added: "It's not just about swimming in a swimming pool and getting lengths, it's freezing cold water, we're swimming through jellyfish, the salt water stings like madness, we're getting terrible chafing."
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV.
