Still wanting that candy? James Argent puckers up to ex-flame Gemma Collins despite REJECTING her advances... as she is forced to pin down her daring gown on the ITV Gala red carpet

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The former flames had left TOWIE viewers in tears, as emotional scenes played out between them on the show's series finale that saw Gemma Collins confess her undying love for her ex-beau. 

But despite her hopes of rekindling their romance, the reality star, 32, was left devastated when a tearful James Arg Argent told her their relationship, for him, is purely platonic and he doesn't see a romantic future with her. 

Gemma then went on to tell fans she was putting her history with Arg behind her,but proving there is no bad blood between the pair, they were seen putting on a VERY amorous display on the red carpet of the ITV Gala on Thursday night. 

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Causing a stir! Ex-flames James Arg Argent, 29, and Gemma Collins, 36 were seen putting on an amorous display at the ITV Gala - with the Essex boy leaning in to kiss his former girlfriend 

The annual event, that celebrates the best of ITV, is held at the London Palladium and draws out the biggest stars from the biggest show's across the networks many channels. 

Representing The Only Way Is Essex, Gemma and Arg had stepped out at the bash with a slew of their co-stars, but it appears they only had eyes for each other on being reunited. 

So much so, that Arg was seen wrapping his arms around his former flame, who put on a sizzling display in a floor-length frock that not only teased a look at her ample bust, but stole a glimpse at her pins too, thanks to its daring thigh-high split. 

During one sweet moment between the duo, Arg was caught leaning in to Gemma and planting a kiss on her cheek in front of photographers. His affectionate actions no doubt caused a stir, especially as his relationship with Gemma had dominated the series finale of TOWIE recently. 

Oops! Gemma not only turned heads alongside Arg, but drew attention thanks to her stylist pinning down her dress on the red carpet to prevent any wardrobe mishaps getting caught on camera

No bad blood here! The TOWIE star had reunited with ex-beau Arg at the bash, proving things are still amicable between them despite him recently rejecting her on the show's series finale

Heartbreaking: The duo had dated previously and after confessing her love for Arg had returned, Gemma had asked the Essex native to join her on holiday in Tenerife in a bid to rekindle their romance

Still wanting that candy? Although it seemed there could be unfinished between the pair judging by their latest display

The duo had dated on and off previously, with Gemma confessing that her feelings for Arg had returned. She was then seen asking the Essex native to head overseas with her to Tenerife in a bid to rekindle their 'special' relationship, but Arg politely declined, insisting the duo were friends and nothing more. 

Appearing to put her recent heartbreak behind her, however, Gemma was seen hamming it up for the cameras on the red carpet of the star-studded bash.  

Although, the sultry nature of Gemma's gown proved to provide her with some difficulty when it came to owning her red carpet arrival, as the reality star had to have her frock's hem pinned down to the floor in order to protect her modesty as she posed for photographers. 

An assistant was on hand to ensure Gemma's frock didn't reveal all and crouched down on the floor to tend to the gown's risque skirt as the former I'm A Celebrity star prepared to have her photo taken. 

Back to square one? Despite insisting she was moving on from her old beau, Gemma seemed to be pretty chuffed by his affection

Oops! The sultry nature of Gemma's gown proved to provide her with some difficulty when it came to owning her red carpet arrival, as the reality star had to have her frock's hem pinned down to the floor

Working it: Despite being tended to on the red carpet, Gemma made sure to continue posing up a storm

All in the name of fashion! Despite initially looking unimpressed, Gemma appeared to shrug off the move that prevented her from a wardrobe mishap and was later caught pouting to perfection, as her stylist worked his magic

Despite initially looking unimpressed, Gemma appeared to shrug off the move that prevented her from a wardrobe mishap and was caught pouting to perfection, as her stylist worked his magic. 

Gemma paired her glam attire with statement tasseled earrings and a dramatic berry red lip. She wore her blonde tresses swept back in a sleek bun, styled to one side of her head. 

She and Arg showcased their more than friendly reunion at the gala on social media, with both posting the same shot of the duo to Twitter and captioning it with 'candy' emojis - no doubt paying reference to that iconic TOWIE moment where Gemma, clad in a black swimsuit, confronted Arg at a pool party and told him: 'You ain't ever gonna get this candy.'

Her appearance with Arg at the bash comes after TOWIE fans were left heartbroken over the scenes that played out between Gemma and Mark Wright's best pal. 

The perfect shot! She had seemed keen to ensure her dress was perfectly put in place

Moving on? Gemma appeared to put her recent heartbreak behind her, as she hammed it up for the cameras on the red carpet

All eyes on her! She commanded attention while looking nothing but a VIP in her glittering number 

Beaut: Gemma paired her glam attire with statement tasseled earrings and a dramatic berry red lip

Following Arg's return to the ITVBe series, Gemma had been hopeful that it could reignite their past love. In the episode, viewers had seen Gemma tell Arg: 'I can't make you like me, I can't make you fall in love with me. But I don't know if you'll ever find this with someone else.

'What we have is so special. You're the one person I keep caring for. I just wish one day you'll see sense and be with me. If there's one thing in life that would complete me, its being with you.'

However in one final blow, he responded through tears: 'You know I love your company, but I can't come with you. It's not fair. I think going away will do some good.'

Arg's close pal Tommy Mallet has since championed Arg's decision not to reunite romantically with Gemma, as he mocked the pair's past romance and suggested the bubbly TV personality will be a 'bad influence' on the reality star.  

Emotional: Her appearance with Arg at the bash comes after TOWIE fans were left heartbroken over the scenes that played out between Gemma and Mark Wright's best pal

Reality star Arg had taken a break from The Only Way Is Essex last year to seek treatment in a rehab centre in Thailand, after falling victim to his excessive partying once again.

Embarking on a 10-week stay overseas, Arg had overhauled his lifestyle and underwent a dramatic weight loss, as he embarked on a strict fitness regime and cleaned up his diet.

The TOWIE star had documented his progress on social media and later made a comeback to the ITVBe reality series where he was reunited with the cast and his former flame Gemma.

Back in the company of her former flame, fans saw Gemma confess that her love for Arg had returned, but Tommy - who is currently on a detox retreat with Arg in Portugal - is certain the duo shouldn't reunite, as he thinks the bubbly TV personality could be a distraction when it comes to Arg focusing on his new lifestyle. 

Warning: Tommy (above) has claimed Gemma could be a distraction for Arg, stressing his pal should stay single to continue with his lifestyle overhaul that he first embarked on in Thailand earlier this year

Bad to worse: Not giving up on her feelings, Gemma asked Arg to join her in Tenerife on Wednesday's episode of TOWIE, but the encounter only resulted in further heartbreak

Taking to his column with Reveal magazine, the Essex native said: 'Arg is the best he's ever been and I'd rather he just focused on himself than get into a relationship.'

Referring to Gemma's recent advances, he added: 'Especially with Gemma because all they do together is eat!'

MailOnline have contacted a representative for Gemma for comment.

Meanwhile, new reports have now claimed that Gemma is seeking the help of professionals when it comes to romance and, not willing to give up on her quest for love just yet, she has reportedly signed up for E4's Celebs Go Dating.

Special: She told Arg: 'I can't make you like me, I can't make you fall in love with me. But I don't know if you'll ever find this with someone else'

Honest: However in one final blow, he responded through tears: 'You know I love your company, but I can't come with you. It's not fair'

Following in the footsteps of ex-beau Arg, who had appeared on the show's third series, Gemma is 'determined' to find true love, after a number of knock backs in recent weeks.

According to The Sun, sources have claimed Gemma is willing to give her full commitment to the reality show - which sees Eden Blackman and Nadia Essex set up dates between celebrities and members of the public.

Wanting to find her Mr Right, an insider revealed to the paper: 'Gemma can't wait to start filming - she's completely putting herself in the dating experts' hands as she's determined to find true love on the show.

'She's not going to mess around - she knows they're the top people who can find her a man and she's going to take all their advice.'

However, the source went on to admit there could already be a speed bump along her road to love, adding: 'The only problem is, she really fancies the dating expert Eden Blackman!'

She means business: Gemma is said to be 'determined' to finally find true love and has 'signed up' for the next series of Celebs Go Dating

Experts: Sources said the blonde is willing to fully commit to the show - which sees Eden Blackman and Nadia Essex (above) set up dates for celebrities and members of the public