Newly-single Maura Higgins and a slimmed-down James Argent attend theme park ride launch

Newly-single Maura Higgins and a slimmed-down James Argent led the reality stars visiting Thorpe Park on Thursday for the Black Mirror Labyrinth ride launch. 

Love Island star Maura, 30, looked in good spirits weeks after her split from fellow villa star Chris Taylor, 30 as she chatted with pals at the launch.

She donned a dove grey hoodie, paired with a black leather jacket for her outing at the theme park.

The star showcased her toned legs in black leggings and completed the ensemble with white trainers.

Her brunette tresses were styled in a sleek updo while her pretty features were enhanced with a rich palette of make-up.

James ‘Arg’ Argent looked happy as he continues his recovery from life-saving gastric sleeve surgery.

The star, 33,  displayed his slimmed down frame in a black tracksuit and padded jacket – after recently revealing he had lost 2.5 stone.

The TOWIE star, who was recently involved in a Vespa crash, looked delighted to be mingling with friends at the event and enjoyed a reality reunion with his former co-star Dan Osborne and his son Teddy, seven.

The glitzy event attracted a host of stars including Love Island’s Paige Turley and Finn Tapp, Georgia Steel, Shaughna Phillips, Mike Boateng, Chris Hughes, Callum MacLeod, and Curtis Pritchard – who was joined by brother AJ.

TV personality and Jade Goody’s widower Jack Tweed also put in an appearance at the hotly-anticipated event.

 Maura’s appearance  comes just weeks after she announced her split from her ex-boyfriend Chris. 

Maura and Chris went public with their romance in November 2020 after months of speculation they were dating and took to Instagram two weeks ago to confirm they had split. 

 Maura temporarily moved in with close pal Molly-Mae Hague, 21, and her boyfriend Tommy Fury, 22, who both supported her following her split from Chris.

Maura and Chris announced their split at the same time on Instagram.  

‘It breaks my heart to even type this but I wanted to let everyone know that myself and Chris have made the joint decision to end our relationship,’ Maura said in an emotional statement. 

‘There is no wrongdoing on either side… we still love, care and respect each other deeply. 

‘From the minute we met each other we’ve been very close friends and that will never change. There is no regret, life is about taking chances.

‘We wanted to make this work but we have realised we work better being friends. Whilst I appreciate people may speculate or create false stories this is the truth.  

‘I wish Chris nothing but the best and I will always be one of his biggest supporters. Thank you for all the love and support’.

Meanwhile, the statement released by Chris read: ‘Hey guys, after some very heartfelt conversations over the past few days, myself & Maura are very sad to announce that we have decided to part ways.

‘We are both still on very good terms and this was a mutual decision where nobody had done anything wrong. We will remain friends, as we have been since day one and I will always be in Maura’s corner and have her back…

‘We are both going through a very tough time with this at the moment, so please take any speculation with a metric tonne of salt, p.s this is the only truth (and as always trolls can kindly f*** off)…  

‘Thank you for all the love and support you’ve given us, it’s truly been appreciated’.

Just two weeks before the announcement, Maura spoke to MailOnline about the prospect of marriage and how happy they were together.

‘Like every couple we have our bickers, he does silly things like leaving the fridge door open. We have spoken about getting married – we’ve often spoken about where would we like to get married and would I like Ireland or England, stuff like that…

‘I do feel like I’d probably want an Irish wedding, which is a crazy, big party. I’ve had an image in my head for years but everyone I know that’s got married always says ‘you’ll never wear what you thought.’ I’d like something very simple…

‘I don’t feel like I’m going to even cover up on my wedding day!’

While James’ outing comes after he recently revealed his staggering 2.5st weight loss from a £10,000 life-saving gastric sleeve surgery last month.     

The reality star made his first public appearance since his life-saving gastric sleeve surgery as he appeared on Loose Women last month.

During the interview, James said he was ‘buzzing’ as his weight was ‘coming off every day’ after having the £10,000 sleeve gastrectomy operation.

Arg revealed he has managed to shed 2.5st off his 27st weight and detailed how his ex-girlfriend Lydia Bright, 30, ‘has been amazing’ as he recovers from surgery  

James told the panel: ‘I’m so pleased, sitting here today, two and a half weeks after the operation, gradually weight is coming off each and every day. 

‘I’m going on long walks, I’m feeling happier, I’m feeling healthier, I’m starting to feel like my old self again. I think I definitely made the right decision. This is really going to be a positive new chapter for me. I’m buzzing.’ 

James said he has lost 2.5st already since starting the pre-op diet just before surgery.

‘I’m starting to recognise myself in the mirror again, the confidence is starting to come back, my looks are coming back,’ he said.  

‘So I’m just really, really pleased. I don’t feel depressed, I just feel positive. Obviously there’s tough days, it’s a big operation and it’s a big life-change for me. But I’m just so glad I went ahead.’

The television personality went on to detail his recovery so far, which he says has been ‘pretty hard’.  

He said: ‘There are some days that are tougher than others. Initially after the operation, you’re coming off the anaesthetic and it’s a shock to the system for a couple of days. Gradually each day gets easier and easier. 

‘The only battle at the moment I suppose is more mentally. I’ve been on nothing but liquids for two weeks. 

 ‘I’m onto the third week now, I’ve slowly moved onto mushy food, like baby food, I’m kind of blending soft foods and eating.’ 

Arg said he didn’t have any cravings for fast food or takeaway and instead fancies a chicken salad ‘or a bit of fish and rice’.  

He added: ‘I’ve only got another two weeks of mushy food, soft food and then I’ll be moving on to solids and then I’ll be able to get a nice chicken salad down my neck and it’ll be good.’ 

James also spoke about how he has been for sober more than a year after overcoming his drug addiction and says he will remain in therapy sessions and counselling.

 On Tuesday, James was seen inspecting his dented Vespa after it appeared to have been involved in a crash.   

He e chatted to a mechanic who checked over his beloved scooter at a garage in east London.  

James has had his blue Vespa for years and he has regularly been spotted driving the vehicle around Essex and London. 

It is not known how or when the believed crash took place, MailOnline has contacted James’ representative for comment.