James Lock has disclosed that his fight with body dysmorphia led him to invest £100,000 in cosmetic procedures, in addition to undergoing several complimentary surgeries.

The 38-year-old former star of TOWIE, who gained attention on ITVbe in 2013, has experienced a variety of transformations over the years, including a hair transplant, ear reshaping, a nose job, getting veneers, and using steroids.

James acknowledged that during the peak of his fame, the allure of free surgeries became a significant ‘issue,’ yet he has now decided against further surgical enhancements.

“You have to consider the things I’ve done,” he reflected. “Yes, I have body dysmorphia, and maybe it has made me somewhat insecure due to the industry I’m part of.”

“There’s a constant pressure to compare yourself to others. While it’s often highlighted in women, men also struggle with body dysmorphia. We face similar challenges, though perhaps we don’t express them as openly.”

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), more commonly known as body dysmorphia, is a psychological condition where individuals become preoccupied with perceived imperfections in their appearance, which are often invisible to others.

James Lock has revealed that as well as spending £100K on cosmetic surgery he also underwent even more procedures for free amid his devastating battle with body dysmorphia (pictured 2023)

The former TOWIE star has over the years undergone a hair transplant, ear reshaping, nose job, veneers and used steroids

James recalled really hitting rock bottom after a terrible accident on the set of reality show The Challenge in 2022 that left him with a fractured nose and eye sockets. 

He told The Sun: ‘I fractured my face on The Challenge, and I had to have my nose realigned. I’ve got my cheekbones redone and rebuilt’.

He went on to admit that while the injury was gruesome his body dysmorphia made them seem even worse and soon he flew to Instanbul to have rhinoplasty and fat transfer under eyes.

James starred alongside brothers Curtis and AJ Pritchard, fellow Essex native Ella Rae Wise and Love Island’s Kaz Crossley on the gruelling show, which aired on MTV.

A source told The Sun in February 2023 of the fitness fanatic’s accident: ‘James was rushed to hospital after seriously bruising his face within the first 3 days of filming the Challenge UK.

‘The injury was caused during one of the many dangerous activities contestants have to take part in. It was so scary to see. He was in agony.

Last year James opened up about his body dysmorphia for the first time and said it caused him to ‘constantly battle, compete and compare himself to others’. 

During an appearance on GMB he confessed that critiques on social media led to him undergoing a number of surgical procedures.

James admitted that the numerous free surgeries he was offered at the height of his fame became a real ‘problem’ 

‘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’.

James pictured on TOWIE in 2013

While he conceded that he knows he is ‘a good looking guy’ and is ‘a confident guy’ to a certain degree, James admitted will ‘always find fault’ in himself. 

He said: ‘I can sit here now and I know I am a good looking guy and I’m in good shape but I will still find fault… It’s a constant battle with yourself and even though you’re looking in the mirror, you’re not seeing what other people are seeing.’ 

James spoke about the fact that one moment he can be ‘rational’ about his hang-ups but then the next he can be at work doing a photoshoot and spend the whole day criticising himself in what he looks like.

He said: ‘I can sit here and be rational about it but a couple of days ago I’m doing a shoot and what should take half an hour takes a full day because I’m finding fault in everything and I’m comparing myself to my competition.

‘Remember, the shows that I’ve been on, we might be all be friends, but we’re all in competition.’

Detailing his surgical procedures, he said: ‘I’ve had my eyes done, my nose done, you’re getting carried away. Something that would have taken a couple of hours, a couple of pictures, now takes a full day…

‘Sometimes I’m being irrational. I’m a good looking guy, I’m in good shape, but I will still find fault – whether I’m on set or even if I’m going away on holiday or doing a shoot for a brand, I will find fault.

‘I started off with a hair transplant, I’ve had my ears done, my teeth done – that’s a standard thing for everyone at the minute.