He triumphantly touched down on British soil last week after 10 weeks of rehab in Thailand – looking healthy, happy, and sporting a sun-kissed glow that put his perma-tanned castmates to shame.

But those of us dying to get a better look at James ‘Arg’ Argent’s newly-slim physique and freshly-grown, bouncy curls soon had our hopes dashed, as ITVBe revealed that the star would not be returning to TOWIE anytime soon. According to insiders, TV bosses wanted to be 100 per cent sure that the star had finally beaten his demons, which reportedly include a long history of yo-yo dieting and drink and drug binges, before resuming filming.

Well, we at heat won’t stand for this infringement on our viewing rights, and so are launching a campaign. What do we want? To Bring back Arg! When do we want it? When, er, the series returns later this year.

Arg has been at the heart of TOWIE life from the very beginning, keeping us entertained with his goofy grin and crooning vocals. And though the star himself tweeted, “I definitely haven't been axed”, and added he would “#BeBackSoon”, we’re demanding immediate action… and we’re not the only ones.

Heat’s campaign is being backed by a long line of TOWIE stars, who miss their co-star just as much as we do and aren’t afraid to speak out about it. Here’s hoping that, united, we can overturn this terrible injustice!

TOWIE’s cast back heat

Chloe Sims

“Essex hasn't been the same without Arg, he has to get back on TOWIE, we've all missed him.”

Jon Clark

“What is TOWIE if we don’t have Arg in it? It’s like fish with no chips, salt without the pepper! Come back soon buddy!”

Chris Clark

"Bring Arg back to TOWIE because I miss his rascal dress sense! Who still wears boot cut jeans in 2017!? Haha love him.”

James ‘Lockie’ Lock

“I’m backing Heat’s campaign to bring back Arg because I miss his singing!”

Megan McKenna

"I’m backing Heat’s campaign to bring back Arg because I need someone to do that duet with me that he promised!"

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

Sign the petition

Click here to sign your name to our petition. With 100,000 signatures, we can get the matter debated in Parliament – finally giving those politicians something to really worry about this month.

Write to your MP

Visit parliament.uk to find out your local MP’s address, and send your outrage their way. Strength in numbers, comrades.

Tweet the hashtag

#bringbackArg

Click here to sign the petition (you know you want to)