JAMES Argent's ex-girlfriend Nicoline Artursson has hit out at his "controlling ex" for causing major issues with their ill-fated relationship.
In an 800-word statement, Nicoline finally spoke in depth about the domestic abuse she suffered at the hands of Argent last month.
The Swedish beauty queen was injured after being pushed down steps outside the home they shared in Spain.
He was arrested and spent several hours in police cells before admitting a charge of domestic violence in court.
Now, Nicoline has claimed former Towie star Lydia Bright was an unwelcome, interfering presence during their year together.
She said: "I felt there were too many people in our relationship: me, my boyfriend and his ex. 'Three's a crowd', they say.
"I asked so many times if we could be just the two of us, but the answer was a strong NO.
"I experienced what I can only describe as targeted emotional distress which he allowed to continue."
Nicoline continued: "After being together for one year my boyfriend finally promised me that he would have boundaries.
"He would put a stop to all that had been going on for months.
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"But he didn't. Instead he broke the promise and her controlling behaviour continued. The rest is history."
Argent and Lydia's love story started off screen nearly two decades ago when they were teens and their drama-filled romance made legendary TV on the ITVBe show – gripping viewers with its constant twists and turns.
Domestic abuse - how to get help
DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone - including men - and does not always involve physical violence.
Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship:
- Emotional abuse – Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse – gaslighting – being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to
- Threats and intimidation – Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you
- Physical abuse – This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten.
- Sexual abuse – Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent.
If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers:
- The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night
- Men who are being abused can call Respect Men's Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 or ManKind on 0182 3334 244
- Those who identify as LGBT+ can ring Galop on 0800 999 5428
- If you are in immediate danger or fear for your life, always ring 999
Remember, you are not alone.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime.
Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
They split in 2012, and Argent was accused of calling her a "sl*t" in text messages after learning she'd slept with someone else following their separation.
Despite this, they have maintained a close friendship and Lydia views Argent as an uncle to her daughter, Loretta, five.
She has stuck by her ex and close friend following his arrest and insists he's not a violent man.
A friend who knows both Lydia and Arg very well tells The Sun: "When it comes to what happened with Arg and Nicoline, Lydia would never condone violence and has made that very clear to James, but she doesn't think that he is a violent man and she knows he deeply regrets the events of that night.
"She has stuck by him, even though she doesn't agree with his actions – just as his other mates like Mark Wright have."
Lydia was also there for Argent when his weight ballooned to nearly 30 stone amid drug and food addiction.
Nicoline Artursson's statement in full
It's now been a month. I still can't believe it.
My fractures on my body have finally healed but I'm wounded inside. I've been quiet long enough. Silence protects no one – and it almost destroyed me.
What started as a love story sadly turned into something else. Behind the pictures, promises and the plans for a life together – the beautiful days – changed into something into sadness with emotional manipulation and eventually physical harm.
I loved deeply, believed in our future and stood by someone I thought would protect me and instead I was left alone and harmed in ways I never imagined.
I was not only failed by him but deeply affected by the presence of unresolved ties to his past.
Yes I posted an Instagram story with a simple yes or no question about if your ex should be a part of your present relationship. I felt there were too many people in our relationship: me, my boyfriend and his ex. 'Three's a crowd', they say.
I asked so many times if we could be just the two of us, but the answer was a strong NO. I experienced what I can only describe as targeted emotional distress which he allowed to continue.
The ex and her family put us through so much misery and false accusations, I won't go into details. They had no reason whatsoever to do what they did to us, but for some reason they wouldn't let go and let us enjoy our love.
Everybody knows that real friends support you and want to see you happy.
So I posted a story on Instagram.
After being together for one year my boyfriend finally promised me that he would have boundaries.
He would put a stop to all that had been going on for months.
But he didn't. Instead he broke the promise and her controlling behaviour continued. The rest is history.
I was brutally thrown out of our new home in the middle of the night wearing only my pyjamas. I opened the door to let him in and only minutes after I found myself laying down on the stairs outside our house.
My clothes and belongings were being thrown out from the balcony down on me. I was injured.
Thanks to incredible neighbours who heard and saw what happened and acted, I got help. They called police, brought me to safety and ensured the incident was taken seriously.
A gentleman does not abuse you and end up in jail and call you the love of his life. A gentleman does not blame you for his actions. A gentleman will confide in his partner, family and close circle of friends, keeping them close and safe. A gentleman chooses you always and leaves the past in the past – including exes.
Life is to be lived together and not to please people who want to take advantage of you. At the end of the day, fame can only do so much – it's all about being strong and growing together.
Life is simply not a reality TV show, life is real.
I have tried to understand why. I have cried so many tears thinking about the way he chose to hurt me. He said he loved me and I believed him and here we are.
There is now a legal record of what happened. Violence has no excuse – no matter how much love preceded it.
To those who questioned me for staying as long as I did: I stayed because I believed in love. I believed he and we could grow, could heal, could choose peace. But love doesn't survive in chaos. And it cannot survive where violence lives.
To every woman reading this: if you've ever questioned your worth, your safety or your sanity in a relationship – this is your sign. You deserved to be loved with care and integrity. And you are not alone.
To the men: real strength is protection. Real love is safe. Be the kind of man who lifts women up – not one who breaks them down, neither by violence or silence.
To the future: never say never. I will get the little family I've always dreamed of and have my dream wedding to symbolise and celebrate true love in front of my dear family and friends.
I'm healing now. Slowly, bravely and unapologetically. I will rise and I will use my voice – not for vengeance but for truth. For every woman who's been silenced by someone who said 'I love you' and then proved otherwise.
This is not just my story. It's a reminder: abuse – whether emotional, psychological or physical – has no place in love.
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