The Only Way is Essex star James ‘Arg’ Argent has pulled out of turning on Rochester’s Christmas lights this Saturday.

The reality TV star is said to have cancelled his appearance due to ‘filming commitments’.

He has been replaced with co-stars James ‘Diags’ Bennewith and Tom Pearce.

It comes days after rumours that X Factor finalist Rylan Clark might not appear at Dockside Outlet Centre’s Christmas event after a betting shop named his as a favourite to win the popular ITV show I’m A Celebrity – Get Me Out Of Here.

But organisers quashed rumours when they said the X Factor finalist would still be appearing on Saturday.

Last year the Dockside had to bring in a last minute replacement after Eastenders actress Charlie Brooks signed up to the show.

It is not known if Arg will be among the crop of celebrities going in the jungle when it starts on Saturday, or if his ‘filming commitments’ are related to TOWIE.

The Rochester event will start at noon with street entertainment followed by a stage show at the junction of the High Street and Blue Boar Lane.

The Dockside event starts at 3pm, with Rylan due to perform tracks from his forthcoming album. The lights will be turned on at 4pm.