If you’ve been a fan of TOWIE for a while then you’ll no doubt be aware of the complicated history between James Lock and his ex-girlfriend Yazmin Oukhellou.
Their on/off relationship played out on the ITVBe show from the moment they started dating in 2017 to when they split for good four years later following a series of rows while they were living together in Dubai.
Last year, it was revealed that Yaz and Lockie would be coming face-to-face once again on Celebrity Ex on the Beach and viewers have seen the Essex hunk attempt to win back his ex after walking out of the sea. However, according to Lockie, their reunion wasn’t quite as natural as in came across on screen.
Speaking on the Stripping Off with Matt Haycox podcast, Lockie said, “Being flown to Gran Canaria and cooped up in a villa for two weeks with my ex? That's hardly reality, is it? I've never even set foot in Gran Canaria.
“The only reason we're both there is because of the show's producers. It's all scripted, isn't it?
“You're told to engage because the end result is filmed for entertainment, for the pleasure of the viewer.”
As for where he stands with Yaz now, Lockie continued, “Yasmin and I, we’re cool, we speak all the time but if you put us in the wrong environment, especially when alcohol is involved, I feel like it’s a remedy for destruction and chaos.”
He added, “Me and Yazmin are great now, I’ve got nothing but love for Yazmin, she’ll always be part of my life, I’ve got a lot of time for her, and we will always be friends.”
Lockie and Yaz dated for two years after meeting in 2017 before splitting when she accused him of partying with a group of women on holiday in Turkey.
They rekindled their romance a year later – with Yaz describing their first two years together as a “trial run” – but split for good in 2021 following a series of rows while living together in Dubai.
At the time, a source told MailOnline, “James and Yazmin haven't been in a good place for a while now and living together in Dubai only put further strain on their relationship...”
WATCH Junaid, Roman, Saffron and Jordan spill the tea on 'catty' fights | TOWIE secrets
Nathan Katnoria is Closer's Senior Digital Writer and resident TOWIE expert. He's seen all 32 (thirty two!!) series of the ITVBe show and regularly reminisces about forgotten TOWIE romances from years gone by. Although he's never been to Brentwood, Nathan has interviewed loads of TOWIE faves past and present including Sam Faiers, Chloe Brockett, Diags and Georgia Kousoulou.