Towie’s James Lock unrecognisable after brutal accident that saw him rushed to hospital on new reality show

TOWIE star James Lock looks unrecognisable in the trailer for a new show he is starring in after sustaining terrible injuries to his face.

The 36-year-old reality hunk is set to battle it out against other famous faces in a brand new show which will hit screens later this month.

In The Challenge UK, James starred alongside the likes of reality favourites Curtis Pritchard, Kaz Crossley and Callum Izzard, and it seems he picked up some gruelling injuries while taking part.

The star had to be rushed to hospital after sustaining the gruesome injuries to his face in the first episode, which left him looking unrecognisable, and “in agony.”

Coined the “toughest show on television” by show presenter Mark Wright, the trailer reveals the stars getting stuck in and James looks downcast as he’s seen with two black eyes and puffy cheeks.

A source told The Sun that he became the first contestant to be evicted from the show, after losing the challenges.

They continued: “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.

“He ended up fracturing part of his face and was bruised for months. James spent weeks recovering in Miami so that no one would see his bruised face.”

He was then unable to take part in any further challenges due to the nature of the injuries.

The Challenge is an American format and Channel 5 now hopes the UK version will be just as popular with viewers over here.

It sees celebrities battle against each other in several high-octane challenges, to avoid elimination.

The winners will then take part in a global championship, battling against victors from the Argentinian, Australian and American series.

They’ll each be competing for a huge cash prize of £100,000, and to gain the title of Challenge Champion.

The show is former Towie man Mark’s first big TV presenting job in the UK since he fronted another Channel 5 series, The Bachelor.

Filmed in Argentina, it’s set to premiere on Channel 5 at 11.05pm on Monday 20 February.