A Dundee model shocked viewers of a TV dating show when she turned down a reality star — but says she has “no regrets”.
Lauren Short, 20, appeared in the most recent series of E4’s Celebs Go Dating, which saw famous singers, models and TV personalities paired up with everyday people in a bid to find love.
The geography student, from the West End, was approached by show scouts after they found her on picture sharing website Instagram.
Her crowning moment in the show saw her turn down The Only Way Is Essex star James “Arg” Argent after an embarrassing speed dating session.
Lauren told the Tele she had “no regrets” about rejecting the 29-year-old, who describes her as “super fit” during the show.
She said: “I honestly felt so bad because Arg was such a nice person, but it was very intense.
“You were surrounded by producers and there were three cameras pointed at you the whole time.
“I have no regrets about turning him down but I’m glad I did the show because it was a lot of fun.”
In the show, broadcast last month, Lauren got acquainted with the TOWIE star during an early episode, only for him to choose another girl.
However, producers brought her back for a speed dating session.
The cringeworthy reunion saw Arg fail to remember meeting Lauren before.
She then turned down his request for a date, saying: “I think you are so cool and you’re so nice but I don’t know if there’s a connection.”
Arg said afterwards he was “absolutely gutted”, having said beforehand that she could be “the one”.
The painful moment was captured on Twitter by the show’s official account, which repeated the clip with the caption: “When you don’t remember someone from the night before.”
One viewer wrote on social media: “At least Lauren was up front and didn’t go on a date with Arg for 15 min of fame.”
Another wrote: “Awww that Dundee lassy pied Arg.”
Lauren added that she had gone in with no expectations of finding love on the show.
She said: “I just hoped I wouldn’t come across as rude or ungrateful or anything when I said no.
“I haven’t spoken to him since but one of the dating advisers messaged me saying, ‘I can’t believe you pied Arg, that’s so cruel’.”
Lauren, currently finishing her final year of a geography degree in Newcastle, said she had no regrets after turning Arg down.
“I had a great time doing the show. Everyone was so nice but they just weren’t my type.”