James 'Arg' Argent has joked that he will tell his future children that he was fictional mob boss Tony Soprano from HBO's The Sopranos.
The 32-year-old Essex lad - who is yet to become a father - made the funny comment when he posted a snap onto his Instagram page on Wednesday evening.
The reality TV personality has been on a mega health kick as of late and is thought to have shifted an impressive five stone by changing his lifestyle and in the throwback snap - where he carried more pounds - he appeared to have modelled himself on Tony - who was played by the late James Gandolfini.
His likeness is comparable due to Gandolfini's large size - similar to Arg's shape prior to his most recent fitness journey and Arg seemed to have made himself look as close as possible to the TV icon for the photo.
Proving he took style tips from the Soprano character - who was head of North Jersey's most powerful crime organisation in the drama series that ran for six seasons from 1996 to 2007 - James can be seen in the offering wearing a loose-fitting silk bowling shirt teamed with white trousers.
Adding a touch of bling a gold watch can be seen around the TOWIE star's wrist and gold chain around the other.
And in a bid to shun his Essex lad look for an American gangster vibe Arg can be seen inhaling a fat cigar as he stands in front of a barbecue filled with flames.
Soprano fans will know that this is a homage to Tony Soprano - who was rarely seen without a gold Rolex wrapped around his forearm and a cigar hanging out of his mouth - but unlike Arg, the head of the Soprano family was usually spotted hanging out at his strip club Bada Bing! with his mafia crew planning hits or firing shots and burying bodies.
TV and film star James Gandolfini died aged 51 in 2013.
Gandolfini had a heart attack while on holiday in Italy and was found dying by son Michael, who was only 13 at the time.
Arg last appeared on The Only Way Is Essex in 2018 after the show rocketed him to fame in 2010.
He has made a great effort to overhaul his diet and his image in recent months.
The ITVBe star has also opened up about how exercise has helped him with his mental as well as physical health.
"I need to get back in the gym and boxing again. I'm desperate to get back on track."
He added: "I struggle to get into a routine and structure with my job - I'm here, there and everywhere."
Earlier this year, he was reported to have checked in to a specialist retreat in Thailand, having been admitted to hospital the month before.
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