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Towie legend pulls out of filming ITVBe show as he signs up for US reality series
JAMES Lock has pulled out of filming for a key part of the new series of Towie 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.
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This means James, 36, won't be taking part in the Towie cast trip to Cyprus, which is currently filming, but he will 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.
"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."
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The Sun has contacted both reps for James and Towie for comment.
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.
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This year he appeared on The Challenge UK.
James isn't the one cast member who has pulled out from their trip to Cyrpus.
While the rest of the gang have jumped on a plane to Cyprus, 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.”
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."
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