Fears are growing for The Only Way Is Essex star James Argent, who has been reported missing, police said today.

Officers in Redbridge are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of the missing 26 year old, best known as Arg for his time on the hit reality show, after he was last seen at around 3am on Friday at his home in Woodford Green, Essex.

He is known to frequent the Brentwood area and nightclubs in Redbridge, but has not made any contact with friends or family since his disappearance.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "His family and friends knew him to be at his home address at the time. Obviously he has left home but it is not known where to.

"It is unusual according to his family and his agent."

He is described as white and of large build, about 6ft tall with dark hair.

At the time of his disappearance Argent was wearing a blue tracksuit, believed to be a Nike, and was carrying a blue sports bag.

Officers urge anyone with information to call police on 101 or Missing People on 116000, quoting Merlin reference 14MIS030797.

Popular Arg shot to fame when he joined the Towie cast along with his best friend Mark Wright when the series first aired in 2010.

Since then he has seen his stock rise including collecting the show's Bafta Audience Award in 2011, amassing 1.4 million followers on Twitter and appearing on a host of chat shows.

In 2012, he completed the London Marathon in a little over six hours in aid of Cancer Research.

He is expected to appear in the next season of Towie due to be aired on new channel ITVBe in October.