By Rebecca Davison for MailOnline
Published: 02:53 EST, 30 August 2014 | Updated: 05:28 EST, 30 August 2014
TOWIE star James Argent, 26, has been found 'safe and well' after sparking a missing persons search when he failed to turn up to meet his agent, Neil Dobias at Gatwick airport on Friday at 3am.
His distraught 1.4million Twitter followers even began a #PrayForArg hashtag when they heard the news.
One user, @jason_809 wrote: 'Haha I just found out from my mate, absolutely gutted! I'm sure the big man will be found safe and well! #prayforArg.'
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Found: James Argent has been found 'safe and well' after sparking a missing persons search - his followers started a #prayforArg hashtag upon hearing the news
While fellow tweeter @vIntageEkul added: 'hope arg is found soon! #PrayForArg.'
The reality star has thankfully now made contact with his father, Martin Argent, 58, - who believes he may have gone to Essex's Stansted Airport while his frantic agent 'waited at Gatwick.'
Martin told MailOnline on Saturday: 'He left the house at 3.30am and was due to meet his agent at the airport just after 5am.
Showing support: Fans started a #PrayfprArg hashtag after the star went missing
'I think the agent was at Gatwick but he told us he was going to Stansted, so we thought he might have gone to the wrong airport. His agent kept ringing and saying "where was he" and we couldn't make contact with him all day long.'
'He's now on his way to his next engagement which is in Blackpool. He was only due to be in Majorca for one afternoon.
'We had to report it because his agent was panicking, we were panicking, because we couldn't account for his whereabouts. We tried all his friends and none of them knew where he was.
'He's just phoned to say he had trouble with his phone and he's sorry to have caused everyone all this worry.
Misunderstanding: Seen moving out of his mother's house in July, the star's agent raised the alarm after he failed to show up to meet him at Gatwick airport - he reportedly went to Stansted instead
'We don't know all the detail yet but we're really relieved that we've heard from him and we know that he's okay.'
Police previously said his disappearance yesterday was 'out of character' and released a picture of the star, urging anyone who sees him to contact them urgently.
The reality show regular, 26, previously dated co-stars Gemma Collins and Lydia Bright. His last tweet, on Thursday morning, urged Lydia to 'get back from Italy'.
On/off relationship: James and Lydia attended the Dukes Polo in Chelmsford Essex together on July 12 2014
A statement given to MailOnline before James was found read: 'James Argent left home at 3am on Friday morning to meet his agent at the airport to catch a flight for work abroad.
'When he failed to turn up, he was reported missing by his family who are understandably concerned.'
James become a household name after starring on hit ITV2 show The Only Way Is Essex, since the show began in 2010.
Reconciling: The couple enjoyed a passionate kiss at the end of the last series of ITV2 reality show The Only Way Is Essex
Best friends: James' last tweet was a plea for Lydia to come home from Italy
Missing reality star James 'Arg' Argent appeared in series one with his ex-girlfriend Lydia Bright - who he recently had a recurring romance with.
The couple split two years ago after 26-year-old Arg was accused of cheating on her - and he spent the last series of the show trying to woo her back.
In early August, Lydia revealed that things weren't exactly over for the couple and admitted she still had feelings for her former lover.
All over: The 26-year-old dated co-star Gemma Collins in June 2012 but they soon split after a rocky relationship
James also famously bought Lydia a micro pig called Mr Darcy as a token of his affections in the Christmas of 2011 - he took her on a date to visit him in July this year.
The last tweet James wrote was aimed at Lydia and said: 'I really miss my old pal @LydiaRoseBright will you hurry up and get back from Italy ASAP! #Needy x.'
James, who is best friends with his former reality co-star Mark Wright also works as a 'Sinatra-inspired' singer.
The 26-year-old dated co-star Gemma Collins in June 2012 but they soon split after a rocky relationship.
Meanwhile, the star is in the process of moving out of his parents' house in Woodford Green to a two-bedroom flat in Chigwell, just three miles away.
He was pictured in an emotional hug with his mother Patricia, 53, as he began moving items from where he has lived with her, his 58-year-old father Martin and 24-year-old sister Natasha for more than 20 years.
'I'm moving out into the heart of Chigwell,' he told Reveal magazine. 'It's a two bedroom flat and it's actually in the same block of flats as [co-star Elliott Wright]. I'm really excited; I feel like I've finally made it.'
Argent began acting and singing in 2002 after winning the coveted Kenny Award at Kenneth More Theatre in Ilford, East London.
In late 2013, Arg took part in the first series of the Channel 5 reality series Celebrity Super Spa, along with Helen Flanagan, Rustie Lee, John Burton-Race, Jody Latham and Yvette Fielding.
Making a splash: The Essex favourite recently took part in the ALS ice bucket challenge in Leicester Square
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