James Argent says weight jibes sent him into vicious cycle of binge eating and benders

James Argent has admitted cruel jokes about his weight sent him spiralling into a vicious cycle of binge eating and cocaine-fuelled benders.

The former Towie star, 32, has lifted the lid on the drug addiction that wrecked his life and confessed his habit was linked to a devastated eating disorder.

Arg has said online abuse and jibes about his size pushed him into fast food binges which were followed by nights of snorting coke.

Speaking to The Sun, he explained: "The core of my addiction stems from my eating disorder.

"I binge on food if I hate the way I look. It’s like the opposite of anorexia where people starve themselves if they are down about their body. I eat when I'm not even hungry...

"All this p**s-taking and the abuse I was receiving on social media was hurting me inside...

"I’d feel down so I’d start using drugs at 9pm until 6am, not eating a thing.

"Then I’d wake up, feel low and be absolutely starving and I would binge on everything from fizzy drinks, burgers, fast food, crisps, snacks, pizzas, takeaways to the point where I couldn’t possibly eat any more to feel better.

"Then I’d look in the mirror, see I’m the biggest I’ve ever been, then think, ‘When is a suitable time for a dealer to drop me off’."

Arg added that the vicious cycle was a "never-ending tale of destruction" and singled out footballer Joey Barton for giving him grief online.

He claimed the former Manchester City midfielder told him he had "teeth like a burnt-down fence" and it sent him to the dentist to get veneers fitted.

However, Arg - who suffered two near fatal drug overdoses - insists he's finally on the right track after getting clean.

He checked into a rehab clinic in Thailand at the start of the year and has now lost five stone.

The telly star is back with his on/off girlfriend Gemma Collins, who he credits with giving him tough love during his addiction ordeal - and he now wants to settle down with her.