The Only Way Is Essex star James Argent has revealed that he is planning to have a gastric operation as part of a dramatic bid to shift weight.

The 33-year-old has battled with his weight for years but has recently hit a new high of 26 stone, leaving him to make the decision to turn to surgery.

"I don't want to die. An op is the only way I can lose weight," he told The Sun.

"I see pictures of myself and it's too upsetting. The other day I had to ask my manager to put my shoes on for me because I just couldn't do it - my belly is too big. I can't do up my own shoe laces.

"I don't want to die, it's as simple as that. I've been told by doctors that I am morbidly obese and need to lose weight, but I have an eating disorder, so I can't do it.

"I'll either starve and work out three times a day and be really skinny, or do no exercise and eat takeaways every day.

"I can't maintain my weight - I need help. Nobody is trying to stop me from having an op. Everyone knows it's the only way I can lose weight."

Last year Arg also revealed that he is a recovering cocaine addict.