JAMES Argent shamelessly danced on stage on his return to Spain after his horrific attack on his ex-girlfriend.
The disgraced 37-year-old star had previously turned violent while on holiday with his partner Nicoline Artursson, 32, in La Cala de Mijas on the Costa del Sol.
The 37-year-old threw the former Miss Sweden’s clothes off a balcony at a beachfront apartment and pushed her when she fell down steps outside.
He was arrested and spent several hours in police cells before admitting a charge of domestic violence in court that same day on May 5.
He had returned to the region earlier this week ahead of a domestic violence course as part of his sentence for attacking Nicoline.
But last night, he was spotted partying on stage and "meeting" fans at a restaurant - a five-minute drive away from the terraced home where the attack took place.
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Footage shows the disgraced ex-TOWIE star singing and dancing at a glitzy restaurant - owned by his pal and former co-star Elliott Wright - with people dancing in the foreground.
Arg cut a forlorn figure between meet-and-greets and selfies with female fans ahead of his 40-minute show.
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:
- 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 on 0182 3334 244
- Those who identify as LGBT+ can ring 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.
He later slinked off alone and found solace in his mobile phone on an outside terrace - after entertaining the crowd with covers of hits by Rick Astley, Madness and The Temptations.
After being introduced, Argent, wearing black trousers and a black shirt, was all smiles during his set and at one point invited a bride-to-be out for a dance after spotting a hen party sitting on one of the tables in front of him.
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But he steered clear of any interaction with revellers after finishing his show.
An onlooker said: “Elliott sat James down on a top table right by the stage alongside his wife and close friends and family before he performed.
“They soon started tucking into plates of food waiters brought out for them which they washed down with champagne and wine.
“But Argent looked as if he was in his own world. All he ate before he went on stage was a meatball and he stuck to Coca-Cola and water and didn't touch a drop of alcohol.
“After he finished he headed to an outside terrace and kept his head down glued to his phone next to another singer who was also flicking through his mobile.”
Another said: “The only time I saw James smile all night was when he was performing and doing the obligatory meet and greets with fans before his show started.
“He looked like he was worried someone might have a go at him for his assault on his girlfriend.
“But the women there seemed more worried about having their photos taken with him.
“One looked really upset when she got back from a quick trip to the bathroom and found out her two girlfriends had already posed for a selfie with them.
“She tracked him down and got him to come back to their table so he could take another with all three of them.”
Step in to prevent it
By Emma Armstrong, CEO of charity I Choose Freedom
MOST abuse incidents happen behind closed doors and, because of low conviction rates, no one knows the full scale.
In this case, the restraining order is important as domestic abuse is rarely a one-off.
Including a gender violence course also shows the Spanish court knows prevention is critical.
We will see a meaningful reduction in cases only when we combine a response that deals with the immediate issue, and prevents abuse in future.
As part of Argent's sentence, he must attend a domestic violence course which aims to help offenders construct a “new masculinity”.
Gregorio Gomez Mata, who runs similar workshops for Spain’s Prison Service, told The Sun previously: “My message to Mr Argent would be to take advantage of this course.
“His life will be better if he understands he has to change and so will the lives of any women he has relationships with in the future.
"We don’t arrange meetings between offenders and domestic violence victims, but the men who take part in our workshops do listen to the testimonies of women who have been assaulted by their partners.”
Meanwhile, Argent is set to lose out on a bumper payday.
He had applied for residency in Spain to sing all year round in Marbella’s bars and clubs, but that is now likely to be rejected.
Argent’s row with Nicoline came after she hinted at his closeness with ex-partner Lydia Bright in a now deleted Instagram post.
She wrote: “Is it OK if your boyfriend or girlfriend is talking and hanging out with their ex and liking their Instagram posts etc? If you’re in a serious relationship you’ve got to respect your partner and leave the past in the past.”
Argent previously said he was “devastated by what’s happened”.
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Alluding to past drink and drug issues, he added: “I haven’t relapsed. I am still three years and four months clean and sober.”
Shamed Towie star James Argent pictured back in UK after dodging jail for attacking his ex in Spain
SHAMED former Towie star James Argent was spotted back in the UK earlier this month after dodging jail for attacking his ex-girlfriend in Spain.
Argent, 37, turned violent during a row with his model partner Nicoline Artursson, 32, on holiday in La Cala de Mijas on the Costa del Sol.
Argent threw the former Miss Sweden’s clothes off a balcony at a beachfront apartment and pushed her when she fell down steps outside.
He was arrested and spent several hours in police cells before admitting a charge of domestic violence in court that same day on May 5.
The TV personality was given a six-month suspended sentence and two-year restraining order.
As part of his sentence, he must listen to abused women on a 10-week domestic violence course and risks jail if he fails to attend.
He was spotted back in the UK earlier in May, looking solemn as he stepped out into Brighton Marina.