James Argent looked more than smitten with his girlfriend Nicoline Artursson as he shared a sweet Instagram photo to celebrate her birthday on Sunday.
The TOWIE legend, 37, and the model, 32, have been dating since July 2024 after they met in a supermarket.
And looking stronger than ever, James couldn’t wipe the smile off his face in the beautiful photo.
Nicoline hugged the reality star tightly as he hugged her sweetly.
He captioned his post: “Happy birthday my love @nicolineartursson.”
James confirmed in an interview with OK! Magazine last year that he and Nicoline had already moved in together.
James Argent, 37, looked more than smitten with his girlfriend Nicoline Artursson, 32, as he shared a sweet Instagram photo to celebrate her birthday on Sunday.
The TOWIE legend and the model have been dating since July 2024 after they met in a supermarket
In their first joint interview, James and Nicoline revealed it was love at first sight for the couple after they met outside a Spanish supermarket.
And since that fateful encounter, Nicoline has moved to the UK and has now moved into Arg’s home in Essex.
Describing the moment they met, James revealed that he thought Nicoline was out of his league, but decided he had nothing to lose.
He said: ‘I was walking to my gig at Elliott Wright’s restaurant in Marbella.
‘Suddenly I see this woman coming towards me. I was like, ‘Wow, she’s beautiful.’ She was only dressed in gym clothes and no makeup. In fact, he had just fed a stray cat.
And after gathering courage, James asked her out.
Nicole described James as a handsome man with a big smile, before adding that he makes her laugh and it was these traits that helped cement their relationship.
James and Nicoline went on their first date a week later, where James explained about his past addiction problems and weight loss, and the pair were so engrossed in each other that they forgot to order something to eat.
Nicoline won the Miss World Sweden beauty pageant in 2011 and modeled for Abercrombie & Fitch. He was also asked to participate in the French version of The Bachelorette, but he refused to focus on his studies.
Nicole described James as a handsome man with a big smile, before adding that he makes her laugh and it was these traits that helped cement their relationship.
Despite James’ confession about his seven-year drug addiction, which saw him endure a near-fatal overdose, a hospitalization and a stint in rehab, the model was unfazed.
Several months later, the couple seem more in love than ever and during the interview, the blonde beauty who previously modeled for Abercrombie & Fitch pointed out her Christmas stocking on the fireplace in the reality star’s living room.
James explained that they would both “love to have a family one day, absolutely.” while Nicoline added that one of her favorite things about James is that “he’s very family-oriented.”
James said: ‘We are both at the right stage in our lives. We’ve both lived a life, we’ve both had experiences with previous partners, but now is a very good time to be sure of who you’re with.’
Nicoline won the Miss World Sweden beauty pageant in 2011 and modeled for Abercrombie & Fitch. She was also asked to participate in the French version of The Bachelorette, but she refused to focus on her studies.
It is James’ first relationship since splitting from his ex Stella Turian last November and the star previously spoke about feeling like he would never find someone.
In March, Arg told the My Dirty Laundry podcast that he really struggled on Valentine’s Day due to his single status and had to stay off social media because it made him so depressed.
After facing his demons, staying sober for two years and losing 30 pounds, James said, “I’m in a really good place.” Everything in my life is perfect, except my love life. It would be nice if that changed.
Despite James’ confession about his seven-year drug addiction, which saw him endure a near-fatal overdose, a hospitalization and a stint in rehab, the model was unfazed.
‘I’ll be completely honest, I had a lot of trouble on Valentine’s Day this year. I remember waking up and thinking, I’m not going to look at social media.
“It’s not that I’m heartbroken or upset, but just because I knew it’s not going to make me feel good because I didn’t have a Valentine’s Day, I don’t have a girlfriend.
‘But I couldn’t help it. There were times when I would just take a little peek and all you would see were couples. Everyone is madly in love. Everyone is happy.
Everyone dates. There are flowers, balloons, chocolates, date nights, trips or happily married couples, and yes, it started to get to me a little.’