'I knew it was love when she actually liked my singing!'

TOWIE star James Argent and new girlfriend Nicoline Artursson chat exclusively to OK! about their romance

- JANINE YAQOOB

Sitting beside his stunning Miss Sweden girlfriend, it’s no surprise that smitten James Argent looks pleased as punch.

He has turned his life around over the past six years after hitting rock bottom through drink and drug abuse, which almost left him dead.

Leaving behind The Only Way Is Essex — the reality show that made him a household name — he went into rehab then underwent a gastric band operation, which saw him shed 14 stone. And to top off his transformation, he’s met the woman of his dreams — Nicoline Artursson.

Sitting down with OK! magazine for their first interview as a couple, James, 36, and Nicoline, 31, tell us how it was love at first sight after their paths crossed outside a Spanish supermarket, how model Nicoline has moved into his Essex home and how they are already looking ahead to starting a family together.

“To have her beside me is like a dream,” James — also known as Arg — beams. “She’s absolutely beautiful. She’s a combination of Julia Roberts and Claudia Schiffer. What I love about Nicoline is, even though she’s very humble, she’s very classy.”

And what does Nicoline see in him?

“James is so kind, funny and handsome,” she smiles.

“He’s a gentleman.”

The pair very much have that new relationship glow about them. They finish off each other’s sentences and playfully tease one another.

Speaking to us from James’ Essex home, where Nicoline’s been living for the past six weeks, it’s clear she’s made herself at home already — pointing out her Christmas stocking on the fireplace behind her.

Reliving the fateful moment in July when he clapped eyes on Nicoline, James says he was worried she was out of his league but decided to take a chance.