James Lock spent more than £100,000 on cosmetic surgery
During a “devastating” struggle with body dysmorphia, James Lock spent more than £100,000 on cosmetic surgery and underwent additional procedures for free.
James Lock spent more than £100,000 on cosmetic surgery and underwent additional procedures for free during a “devastating” struggle with body dysmorphia.
The 38-year-old former The Only Way Is Essex star, who first rose to fame on the ITVBe reality show in 2013, spoke openly about the impact of the condition, which causes people to obsess over perceived flaws in their appearance.
Over the years, James has had a hair transplant, ear reshaping, a nose job, veneers and has admitted to using steroids.
James said he was offered multiple complimentary procedures at the height of his fame, which he now believes became “a real problem”.
He has since ruled out further cosmetic work, telling 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 dysmorphia], but we do it as men as well. Men suffer the same as women, but they just don’t show it as much, maybe.”
James also recalled hitting “rock bottom” after a serious accident while filming MTV’s The Challenge in 2022, which left him with a fractured nose and eye sockets.
He said: “I fractured my face on The Challenge, and I had to have my nose realigned. I’ve got my cheekbones redone and rebuilt.”
James explained his body dysmorphia intensified his distress after the injury, prompting him to travel to Istanbul for further surgery, including rhinoplasty and a fat transfer under his eyes.
Last year, during an appearance on Good Morning Britain, James said that online criticism had contributed to his insecurities and led him to seek repeated surgical procedures.
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 added: “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 all be friends, but we're all in competition.”
Detailing the extent of his procedures, James 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.”
