James 'Arg' Argent has revealed that doctors issued him a warning that he could die of Covid-19 if he catches it due to his 27-stone weight.
The TOWIE star, 33, is set to have life-saving gastric surgery after struggling for years with eating disorders.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain, Arg said that it had been "worrying" how much weight he had put on during the coronavirus pandemic.
He told hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid: "It has been worrying and it has been difficult putting on so much weight. the fact that I've got so big."
Arg continued to say that his surgery had been booked up and that he feels as though he is "making positive steps".
"I have been through an awful lot, some people go though life plain sailing and other people find life a little bit difficult," he said. "I do believe that there's a light at the end of the tunnel."
Susanna questioned: "What have the doctors said about your weight?"
"I'm currently at 27 stone, I've been speaking regularly at the doctors and nurses and they've been giving me advice," Arg said. "They're saying the size I am, it could be fatal. If I get Covid, I could be a goner."
He continued: "I've been struggling with my weight since I was a teenager... the last 16 years I've found it almost impossible to have a medium.
"It's a really serious operation - I haven't exactly decided which one it is going to be - a sleeve or a bypass," Arg added.
Piers went on to probe Arg on whether he and Gemma were back together.
"We're not officially back together. It's impossible to be in a relationship with anyone," Arg replied. "She's no longer blocked on my phone.
"We're friends at the moment and we have been in contact."
He also denied that he had ever made a sex tape with Gemma, joking: "I'm not sure how much a sex tape of me and Gemma would get."
*Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV
