James Argent's ex sparks romance rumours with Italian tennis star two months after Towie star dodged jail for assault

The Irish Sun

19-07-2025

JAMES Argent's ex Nicoline Artursson has sparked rumours she's moved on with Italian tennis player Lucianco Darderi.
It comes just weeks after
4
James Argent ex Nicoline Artursson looked cosy with tennis player Lucianco Darderi
Credit: Instagram/Nicolineartursson
4
The Swedish model flashed a big smile alongside the Italian athlete
Credit: Instagram/Nicolineartursson
4
Luciano recently played at Wimbledon
Credit: AFP
4
Nicoline spoke out publicly in a statement after the Towie star's assault
Credit: Splash
The Swedish model, 32, was injured after being pushed down steps outside the home they shared in Spain.
Now, Nicoline has hinted that she may be romantically linked to sport star Lucianco, 23, following his match at the Nordea Open.
The blonde beauty posed alongside the tennis star with her head tilted close to his and her hand placed on his stomach.
READ MORE ON JAMES ARGENT
She captioned the sweet photo: "Proud of you champ," along with the song Baby I Love Your Way by Big Mountain in the background.
Nicoline flashed a big smile as she cosied up to the Argentine-born athlete.
She looked incredible in a black and white gingham crop top and matching shorts with a pair of Gucci sliders and handbang.
The pair then looked close in a selfie shared to her social media.
Most read in Celebrity
She added the track Sweet Little Mystery by Wet Wet Wet and wrote: "Today we go again VAMOS!"
The pair seem to have developed a friendship, following and liking each other's recent snaps on Instagram.
James Argent parties with Towie pals at Tommy and Georgia's Majorca wedding after ex Nicoline broke her silence on his attack
It comes after Nicoline claimed Arg's former Towie star Lydia Bright - who dated Arg on/off between 2007 to 2016 - was an unwelcome, interfering presence during their year together.
Nicoline said: "I felt there were too many people in our relationship: me, my boyfriend and his ex. 'Three's a crowd', they say.
'I asked so many times if we could be just the two of us, but the answer was a strong NO.
'I experienced what I can only describe as targeted emotional distress which he allowed to continue.'
Nicoline continued: 'After being together for one year my boyfriend finally promised me that he would have boundaries.
'He would put a stop to all that had been going on for months.
'But he didn't. Instead he broke the promise and her controlling behaviour continued. The rest is history.'
Last month,
Nicoline
posted about
".
She penned: "Partner with the right power! Meaning - Surround yourself with ONLY people who shares the motto of wanting to be their best extraordinary self with you and others."
She added: "In the midst of a setback there is a comeback laying ahead of you.
"I'm so blessed and privileged to be learning from our dear family friend Tim Storey."
Nicoline went on: "I thank each and every one of you for all your supportive kindness & love you've been showing me - It means more than you'll ever know! I appreciate you all so much.
"Going through hardships, your focus will be put to a test. Where you re-direct your mindset will be crucial."
James Argent was handed a six month suspended sentence and a two-year restraining order banning him from contacting Nicoline.
Nicoline Artursson's statement in full
It's now been a month. I still can't believe it.
My fractures on my body have finally healed but I'm wounded inside. I've been quiet long enough. Silence protects no one - and it almost destroyed me.
What started as a love story sadly turned into something else. Behind the pictures, promises and the plans for a life together - the beautiful days - changed into something into sadness with emotional manipulation and eventually physical harm.
I loved deeply, believed in our future and stood by someone I thought would protect me and instead I was left alone and harmed in ways I never imagined.
I was not only failed by him but deeply affected by the presence of unresolved ties to his past.
Yes I posted an Instagram story with a simple yes or no question about if your ex should be a part of your present relationship. I felt there were too many people in our relationship: me, my boyfriend and his ex. 'Three's a crowd', they say.
I asked so many times if we could be just the two of us, but the answer was a strong NO. I experienced what I can only describe as targeted emotional distress which he allowed to continue.
The ex and her family put us through so much misery and false accusations, I won't go into details. They had no reason whatsoever to do what they did to us, but for some reason they wouldn't let go and let us enjoy our love.
Everybody knows that real friends support you and want to see you happy.
So I posted a story on Instagram.
After being together for one year my boyfriend finally promised me that he would have boundaries.
He would put a stop to all that had been going on for months.
But he didn't. Instead he broke the promise and her controlling behaviour continued. The rest is history.
I was brutally thrown out of our new home in the middle of the night wearing only my pyjamas. I opened the door to let him in and only minutes after I found myself laying down on the stairs outside our house.
My clothes and belongings were being thrown out from the balcony down on me. I was injured.
Thanks to incredible neighbours who heard and saw what happened and acted, I got help. They called police, brought me to safety and ensured the incident was taken seriously.
A gentleman does not abuse you and end up in jail and call you the love of his life. A gentleman does not blame you for his actions. A gentleman will confide in his partner, family and close circle of friends, keeping them close and safe. A gentleman chooses you always and leaves the past in the past - including exes.
Life is to be lived together and not to please people who want to take advantage of you. At the end of the day, fame can only do so much - it's all about being strong and growing together.
Life is simply not a reality TV show, life is real.
I have tried to understand why. I have cried so many tears thinking about the way he chose to hurt me. He said he loved me and I believed him and here we are.
There is now a legal record of what happened. Violence has no excuse - no matter how much love preceded it.
To those who questioned me for staying as long as I did: I stayed because I believed in love. I believed he and we could grow, could heal, could choose peace. But love doesn't survive in chaos. And it cannot survive where violence lives.
To every woman reading this: if you've ever questioned your worth, your safety or your sanity in a relationship - this is your sign. You deserved to be loved with care and integrity. And you are not alone.
To the men: real strength is protection. Real love is safe. Be the kind of man who lifts women up - not one who breaks them down, neither by violence or silence.
To the future: never say never. I will get the little family I've always dreamed of and have my dream wedding to symbolise and celebrate true love in front of my dear family and friends.
I'm healing now. Slowly, bravely and unapologetically. I will rise and I will use my voice - not for vengeance but for truth. For every woman who's been silenced by someone who said 'I love you' and then proved otherwise.
This is not just my story. It's a reminder: abuse - whether emotional, psychological or physical - has no place in love.