Towie star James Argent was forced to publicly apologise after causing a missing person police alert after claiming to turn up at the wrong airport.

After leaving his parents’ Woodford Green home at 3.30am on Friday he failed to arrive at Gatwick Airport where his agent was waiting for him to take a flight bound for Majorca.

Twenty six hours later on Saturday morning after his disappearance Scotland Yard issued a public appeal, while fans began a Twitter campaign in a bid to track him down, using the hashtag #PrayForArg.

The reality TV star claimed to have trouble with his phone, meaning he failed to contact his agent Neil Dobias, family or friends.

His parents later reported the star missing to the police, but Argent got in contact with loved ones, and said he had problems using his phone.

At 3.42am on Saturday morning, Argent tweeted: “Hi I’m so sorry to have worried everyone. I’m fine and safe but again can’t apologise enough x”.

His appeal was removed from the Metropolitan Police website at 11am on Saturday morning.

Police released a statement confirming Argent was found in the Woodford Green area around the same time.