James Argent after failing a drugs test. He attended rehab over Christmas 2014. He returned to "The Only Way Is Essex" in 2015, he has lost weight and is a reformed character of his former self. Since 2010, Argent has been a cast member of the ITV2 reality series "The Only Way Is Essex". He had appeared in series 1 with his girlfriend Lydia Bright, who also appeared in series 2 and is also best friends with fellow "TOWIE" cast member Mark Wright. Finally, Argent opened his own theatre during at the studios in Essex on "TOWIE" Live in December 2012. In
Reality television unscripted situations began in the late 1940s. "Queen for a Day" (1945–1964) was an early example of reality-based television. The 1946 television game show "Cash and Carry" sometimes featured contestants performing stunts. Debuting in 1948, Allen Funt's hidden camera show "Candid Camera" (based on his previous 1947 radio show, "Candid Microphone") broadcast unsuspecting ordinary people reacting to pranks. In 1948, talent search shows "Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour" and "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts" featured amateur competitors and audience voting. In the 1950s, game shows "Beat the Clock" and "Truth or Consequences" involved contestants in wacky competitions, stunts, and practical jokes.