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.
“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.
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.
