Towie star James Lock said he’d ‘never quit’ the show and planned to stay on for ‘a long time’ as shock exit is revealed
TOWIE star James Lock said he’d “never quit” the reality show just weeks before his shock exit was revealed.
The reality hunk has pulled out of filming for a key part of the new series, after signing up for a US reality show.
He will be taking part in MTV series The Challenge USA after proving a hit with bosses on the UK version earlier this year.
Talking to The Sun last month, at the launch of his fitness range, Levo, the 36-year-old said he had no plans on leaving Towie.
In fact, he said he’d stay on the show for the foreseeable as it was something he enjoyed doing and had “no drama” on it anymore.
James said viewers have “seen him mature” on Towie over the years, and that the show had made him who he is today.
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But it appears the US reality show has caught his eye, leading him to miss out on filming the cast trip to Cyprus.
James will however join the series back in Essex later in the run.
A source said: "Bosses were really gutted James wouldn't be joining the trip as he is such an integral part of the cast but James didn't feel he could turn this opportunity down.
"The Challenge is a huge show globally, and the American version of the franchise is the biggest one.
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"He is really excited to be asked to do it, but would never turn his back on Towie entirely as that's the show that made him and he doesn't forget where he has come from."
James joined The Only Way Is Essex in 2013 for its eighth series.
The ITVBe show isn't the only reality show that the hunk has been on.
He's also appeared on Celebs Go Dating, Celebrity Ex On The Beach, Celebrity Dinner Date, Eating With My Ex and Celebability.
This year he appeared on The Challenge UK.
And he isn't the one cast member who has pulled out from their trip to Cyprus.
While the rest of the gang have jumped on a plane Amber Turner is currently in Dubai, and won’t be joining them for filming.
Amber and ex Dan Edgar went their separate ways last month.
A source told The Sun: “Amber made it clear she wasn't going to go on the overseas trip if Dan was there. She feels it's too soon after their break-up to have to go on a plane with him and the rest of the cast to film on location.
“It's one thing filming back home in Essex where she can avoid him, but on these trips, there is no escape.”
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The source continued to add that the 29-year-old beauty could “change her mind,” but that “only time would tell.”
They said: “As it stands, she won't be going. Amber was in two minds whether to even return to Towie this series, but it's a job she loves and she didn't want what happened between her and Dan to ruin that for her."
