The Only Way Is Essex star James Argent is "safe and well" after he was reported missing.

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

But his agent Neil Dobias later confirmed that Argent was "safe and well".

He said: "He's been found safe and well. I'm not sure of any of the details but he's called home and spoken to his mum. I just know that he's safe and well."

Earlier, Mr Dobias said the reality TV star had left home at 3am yesterday morning but had failed to turn up at the airport to catch a flight for work abroad.

It is believed Argent had not made any contact with friends or family until this morning.

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.

Argent's most recent tweet was written on Thursday and in it he mentioned his ex-girlfriend and Towie co-star Lydia Bright.

Their will they/won't they relationship was the focus of the last series of the reality show.

He wrote: "I really miss my old pal @LydiaRoseBright will you hurry up and get back from Italy ASAP! #Needy x"

Meanwhile, this morning, former Towie star Sam Faiers tweeted: "We're all worried come home @RealJamesArgent"