'Party boy days are over!' TOWIE's James Lock addresses real reason why he's gone teetotal
CELEBS GO DATING star James Lock has revealed why he hasn't touched a drop of alcohol for the past six weeks, in an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk.
Megan Barton-Hanson and James Locke loved up in New York
James Lock, who will appear on the reality TV show Ex On The Beach alongside ex-girlfriend Megan Barton-Hanson this year, has declared that his days of hard partying are over. Now, he is focusing firmly on the progression of his career.
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My days of being the party boy are done and dusted... I'm focused on my career
James, who first sprung to TV fame via The Only Way Is Essex back in 2013, is determined to prove he's more than the reality TV stereotypes might suggest.
To do that, he's made the decision to cut back on the booze altogether and opt for a clean-living lifestyle.
"I've been teetotal since the new year," he told Express.co.uk.
"I had a bit of a blowout on New Year's Eve but after that I stopped drinking."
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He added: "My days of being the party boy are done and dusted.
"Being a champagne Charlie - those days are over. I wanna be the best version of myself.
"I need to stay focused and drinking stops my focus."
He conceded: "I'm not saying I'll never have another drink again, but for now I'm focused on my career."
James will next appear on our TV screens for a series of Ex On The Beach, but he also has his eye on other shows, including Strictly Come Dancing, I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! and SAS: Who Dares Wins.
The all-rounder even wants to try his hand at culinary creations on The Great British Bake Off.
Meanwhile, he's keen to turn around preconceived ideas about him being a "serial dater" or ladies' man, explaining that he likes a long-term relationship.
In fact, on Valentine's Day this year, he was at a Birmingham branch of Italian restaurant Frankie and Benny's at a specially designed 'Take A Bae' event that matched up singletons with reality TV stars.
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James mingled with around 20 other diners and drinkers, having told Express.co.uk before the big day: "You can meet the love of your life going to the shops. Hopefully there's a Mrs Locke out there somewhere and it could be at Frankie and Benny's!"
The 35-year-old is ambitious about the type of woman he hopes to attract in the future, explaining: "I don't just want a partner or potential wife, I want to meet my best friend."
Speaking of the campaign, he added: "Everyone knows Frankle and Benny's - it's a household name.
"As much as it's a franchise, it [still] feels like an old-school, authentic Italian experience.
"It's a massive company but it doesn't lose sight of its original values.
"I've had my birthday there and the food is great, I love the meatballs. I still go there now.
His new teetotal status seems unlikely to affect his chances in the dating pool as James is adamant that nightclubs are not the right place for a date setting, stating: "You can't really talk to someone there.
"You need somewhere you can get to know each other."
James Lock took part in Frankie & Benny’s Valentine's Day "Take A-Bae" service as the Italian-American restaurant put people on the menu so that no one dined alone on the big day.
