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The Irish Sun
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Star of Arctic Monkey's famous album cover now – and his secret TV star pal
FANS of the Arctic Monkey will well remember their debut album, that launched the band to fame in the mid-noughties. The iconic album cover to Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not featured a young lad smoking - and we can reveal what he looks like now and who his VERY famous pal is. Advertisement 5 Chris McClure got a taste of fame when he was the poster boy for the Arctic Monkey's famous album Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not Credit: Handout 5 Chris is seen here as he looks now Credit: Instagram 5 Chris was friends with the Arctic Monkeys before they were famous - seen here in 2006 Credit: PA:Press Association The man on the front of the Arctic Monkey's first ever record was Chris McClure, who was just 16-years-old at the time. He landed the gig of posing as the poster boy for the album after he met Alex Turner, Matt Helders, Jamie Cook, Andy Nicholson, and Nick O'Malley in Sheffield before they were famous. However, he has now revealed just how much he was paid to be on the album that has since gone down in history . In an interview with Northern Chorus posted on Instagram, Chris said: "I was given about 700 quid." Advertisement More on unrecognisable stars Chris has previously recalled the story of how he ended up on the Arctic Monkeys most famous album. Speaking to Chris said: "I frst met the Arctic Monkeys on the last bus home. We were 16. "We'd go to the same gigs in Sheffield, then see each other on the number 77 – so we became friends. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Exclusive Exclusive Latest "When they went on their first tour, I was their guitar tech: I couldn't tune a guitar to save my life, but I think they wanted someone who was part of the gang." Talking about being asked to be on the cover of their now very famous debut album, Chris recalled: "I was studying sociology at Manchester Metropolitan University when I got a call from Andy Nicholson, the bassist. Arctic Monkeys performs I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor and Arctic Monkeys playing Glastonbury as headliners in 2007 "They were working on their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, and wanted pictures of a guy on a night out for the artwork. "There was no suggestion it was for the cover. Andy asked if I'd do it, and I said why not? I'm not sure why me. I never asked. I think they just wanted someone normal." Advertisement He then revealed he was given a "wad of cash" to get drunk and to come back at 2am to take the picture. Talking about becoming famous overnight, after the album was released in 2006, Chris said: "That Monday, my phone never stopped. It was bonkers; like being dipped into fame. Everyone in the world wanted to know who I was." 5 Chris spilled the beans on what it was like to be on the famous cover Credit: Instagram 5 Chris is good pals with Line of Duty star Vicky McClure Credit: Facebook Advertisement STAR PAL Along with the Arctic Monkeys, Chris also has another very famous star pal. He is also friends with Line of Duty star The pair have struck up a close friendship over the years, and she often helps him plug his daytime disco, Day Fever. Vicky features on his Instagram grid in short videos. Advertisement
The Irish Sun
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Inside James Argent's chaotic romances and tragic personal battles as holiday row with beauty queen lover ends in arrest
AS A fresh faced Essex boy, James 'Arg' Argent burst onto the scene as one of the original cast of Towie 15 years ago. However, over the years his life has taken some twists and turns and Advertisement 10 James 'Arg' Argent has enjoyed a turbulent life in the spotlight since his rise to fame Credit: Rex 10 James joined Towie in 2010 as Mark Wright's joker friend 'Arg' Credit: Rex 10 Arg enjoyed a party lifestyle during his early days of Towie - seen here in 2011 Credit: Louis Wood - The Sun OG Towie fans will well remember the very first time The best mates found instant fame on the ITV reality show, and reaped the rewards of being a young star on the telly. While Mark settled down and made a name for himself as a presenter and businessman, Arg continued to intertrain the viewers on Towie. As his popularity soared, the money came rolling and the invites to parties grew. Advertisement Read More on James Argent DRUG ADDICTION Arg has been very The reality star revealed he first knew he had a problem in 2014 and had stints in rehab before finally getting clean in 2020. He previously opened up about his past demons, and told The Sun how Recalling his first terrifying incident, he told us: "I locked myself in my house and took drugs for three days straight on my own in the pitch black. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Exclusive Exclusive Latest 'I was at rock bottom. My heart was beating out of my chest, my nose was bleeding, I was shaking and my breathing was terrible. "My family were banging on the door screaming, 'Open up' but I wasn't answering the door to anyone. Watch the moment Arg returns to Towie for first time in six years - and boasts about dating stunning Miss Sweden girlfriend "They feared I'd overdosed and was dead in the house." WEIGHT BATTLE Over the years, Advertisement He admitted to piling on the pounds in lockdown after kicking his cocaine addiction. However, the wake up call came when doctors warned him he was 'on death row." 10 Arg opened up about his past issues with drugs to The Sun Credit: Louis Wood News Group Newspaper Ltd 10 At his heaviest James' weight went up to 27 stone Credit: Instagram Advertisement It took his mum Patricia breaking down in tears in his bedroom for him to finally seek help. Arg told ITV's Lorraine: 'I reached the heaviest I've ever been in the height of the pandemic and doctors said I was dicing with death because I've got bad asthma and was morbidly obese, which was the worst possible combination if I was to catch Covid. 'I could have been a goner, so I just knew I had to do something.' Advertisement 10 James lost half his body weight thanks to a gastric band Credit: Instagram GC ROMANCE Arg and Gemma Collins seemed like a match made in reality star heaven. Their romance played out both on and off screen, and at times they seemed very happy. Fans enjoyed watching them them together on Towie, and they dated for three years until 2020. Advertisement During this time, the pair had a very on/off romance, 10 Former reality TV couple James and Gemma Collins had a very on/off romance Credit: Getty - Contributor Speaking on Piers Morgan's Life Stories in 2021, a tearful GC said: "For anyone who ever thinks about taking drugs, or just trying it for one night, you can end up getting addicted. Advertisement "I was really happy with James. We did get on, but the drugs changed him as a person. "I fought every day for three years to get him well." 10 James' age-gap romance with Stella Turian raised some eyebrows AGE GAP ROMANCE In 2022, a then 34-year-old Arg raised eyebrows when Advertisement The smitten star - who was 16 years Gemma's senior - even flew to her native country to meet her parents. A source told "That's why she was very keen for him to meet her family and go official with how she feels. "James and Stella both lead busy lives, but they are keen to spend as much time as possible with one another and are planning a holiday, probably to Dubai , before the end of the year. Advertisement "Both of them are counting down the days." After a year of dating , a "heartbroken" 10 James was given a suspended sentence after pushing girlfriend Nicoline Artursson down some stairs Credit: Instagram/@real_argent SHOCK SENTENCE The Sun revealed how Advertisement Neighbours called the police when they heard former Miss Sweden James spent several hours in police cells before admitting a charge of domestic violence in court the same day The reality star was given a six-month suspended sentence and a two-year restraining order to stop him seeing or even contacting An insider told The Sun: 'James and Nicoline had a row that turned nasty and he pushed her over. He was arrested and taken to a station where he was put in the cells for a few hours. Advertisement 10 James' pals said he was 'very sorry' for what he had done and was honest with police about what happened Credit: Splash 'James complied with the police and the matter was resolved in the court on the same day. 'Their relationship is over and they can no longer speak or contact one another.' Sources close to the telly star insist he is 'extremely sorry' for what has happened and insists he never meant to harm Advertisement A friend explained: 'James has been at home in Essex since this happened. 'He said he had a row with Nicoline and that he tried to end the argument. "James said he pushed Nicoline and that she fell. He is remorseful about what happened but is insisting he never meant any harm. 'He's extremely sorry for it. Advertisement 'James said he was honest when he spoke to the police and told them everything that had happened.' The Sun has contacted Argent. Nicoline declined to comment. Domestic abuse - how to get help DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone - including men - and does not always involve physical violence. Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship: Emotional abuse - Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse - gaslighting - being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to Threats and intimidation - Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you Physical abuse - This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten. Sexual abuse - Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent. If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers: on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night Men who are being abused can call Respect Men's Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 or on 0182 3334 244 Those who identify as LGBT+ can ring on 0800 999 5428 If you are in immediate danger or fear for your life, always ring 999 Remember, you are not alone. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime. Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
