PAINFUL REALITY
I spent £100k on surgery after debilitating condition – but I hit rock bottom after horror TV accident, says James Lock
The 38-year-old opened up to Sun Club readers about the heartbreaking condition, insisting that men are suffering just as much as women
WITH his bulging biceps, impressive six pack and glowing tanned skin, you wouldn’t imagine men who look like James Lock have much to worry about.
But behind the scenes, the 38-year-old has spent years battling a debilitating condition, which has left him suffering in silence and £100k out of pocket. In an exclusive chat with The Sun, he speaks candidly about his struggle.
James Lock posted this snap this week – but he hasn’t always been so body confidentCredit: Instagram
The star, who rose to fame on Towie, has been battling body dysmorphiaCredit: Getty
James’ face was ‘broken’ after he took part in The ChallengeCredit: Instagram
James was in his twenties when he was catapulted to fame by joining the cast of Towie – a handsome, cheeky Essex chap who had no trouble with the ladies.
These days, he’s worlds away from the wide-eyed lad who rocked up with Pete Wicks and broke hearts on telly, after secretly dealing with body dysmorphia and the pressure of being in the limelight.
He told The Sun: “You’ve got to remember some of the things I’ve done – yes, I’ve got body dysmorphia – and maybe it’s made me a bit insecure because of the world that I’m in.
“You’re constantly comparing yourself to other people. Everyone sees women do it [struggle with body image], but we do it as men as well. Men suffer the same as women, but they just don’t show it as much, maybe.”
Body Dysmorphia Disorder, or BDD, is a mental health condition where “a person spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in their appearance”.
Around 1 in every 50 people are said to have the condition in the UK, but men are thought to be underdiagnosed due to stigma and shame.
James, also known as Lockie, says his fame means he was constantly being offered cosmetic procedures for free, which became a “problem” alongside his body dysmorphia.
So far, James has had a hair transplant, veneers and his ears pinned back, but after a horrifying accident on telly, he ended up having his face entirely transformed.
TV show The Challenge saw him compete against a host of other reality stars in a series of brutal tasks in a bid to win a cash prize.
In the first episode of the show, he had to be rushed to hospital after sustaining gruesome injuries to his face, which left him looking unrecognisable.
He explained: “I fractured my face on The Challenge, and I had to have my nose realigned. I’ve got my cheekbones redone and rebuilt.
“I went on that show, and I landed in water, and I broke my face – it was a freak accident.”
He later admitted: “The injuries were bad, but they weren’t as bad as what I created in my head.”
‘Trolls went for me’
Over the years, James has been cruelly targeted online over the way he looks – he had his £6,000 hair transplant to bring his hairline forward to silence vile trolls who said he “looked like Hitler”.
“The trolls just went for me. They destroy people, but luckily I’m thick-skinned,” he admitted.
He then underwent excruciating surgery to have his ears pinned back after a series of nasty comments made about them.
Lockie insisted at the time: “Some people think I’m having an early midlife crisis, but I’m not.”
Last year, he had another nose job and fat transferred to his under eyes.
James is currently believed to be single after public romances with Danielle Armstrong on Towie and his on/off girlfriend, Yazmin Oukhellou.
James has had a number of surgeries over the years as he struggled with the way he lookedCredit: Instagram
He had a hair transplant after being cruelly trolledCredit: Instagram
James Lock dated Danielle Armstrong on Towie – pictured here in 2014Credit: Getty Images – Getty
He left the ITVBe reality show a couple of years ago and has since launched his own Agave spirit company and a fitness brand.
‘People have it that you would never realise’
This week, he posed topless as he promoted his fitness page, and while he looked the picture of confidence, there was still unease bubbling beneath the surface.
He explained: “You can be confident, but still be very self-critical. Even when I’m in shape.
“For instance, yesterday the person who does marketing for my fitness brand asked me if I’d like to do some topless shots, and I told her I don’t feel in shape, even though I am in shape, and that’s body dysmorphia, and that’s what people don’t understand.
“People have it that you would never even realise had it.”
Men with BDD often fixate on aspects like body build, hair, height and genitals.
According to the BDD foundation, there is a staggering ten-year delay in getting help after first having symptoms.
James isn’t planning to have any more work done, but he’s not against people going under the knife.
He said: “I’m good now. I’m quite open about what I’ve done.
“I think a lot more men, because of people like myself, have been more open to getting hair transplants, getting their teeth done or having cosmetic surgery because I’m a strong believer, if you’re not happy with something and it’s within your means to change it, then why not?”
But James is quick to warn that any tweakments should all be for the right reasons.
The star then went on to date Yazmin Oukhellou on and off for many yearsCredit: Getty – Contributor
James quit Towie a couple of years ago
James with Pete Wicks in 2017 – the pair were very close on the showCredit: Rex Features
What are the symptons of Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
BDD is a serious condition, and the NHS warns: “BDD can seriously affect your daily life, including your work, social life and relationships.
“BDD can also lead to depression, self-harm and even thoughts of suicide.”
They detail some of the tell-tale signs as:
Worrying a lot about a specific area of your body (particularly your face)
Spending a lot of time comparing your looks with other people’s
Looking at yourself in mirrors a lot or avoid mirrors altogether
Going to a lot of effort to conceal flaws – for example, by spending a long time combing your hair, applying make-up or choosing clothes
Picking at your skin to make it “smooth”
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