TOWIE: TV chiefs are slammed by charity for glamourising James Lock’s ‘controlling behaviour’

Charity bosses at Women’s Aid have blasted ITVBe producers for ‘glamourising’ James Lock’s behaviour towards his girlfriend Yazmin Oukhellou.

At the beginning of series 22, the show stalwart was seen locked in an argument with his girlfriend and her friends Chloe Meadows and Chloe Lewis leading to outraged viewers calling for his dismissal from the show – a call backed by the charity.

Sian Hawkins of Women’s Aid, insisted James’ behaviour is showing ‘clear warning signs’ and ‘sends a dangerous message’, yet a TOWIE spokesperson defended the airing of the scenes as they were surrounded by reflection and apologies.

Rage: Charity bosses at Women’s Aid have blasted ITVBe producers for ‘glamourising’ James Lock’s behaviour towards his girlfriend Yazmin Oukhellou

Viewers were left in shock when James was seen shouting at his partner Yazmin Oukhellou in a previous episode, while others were left aghast when Myles Barnett called girlfriend Courtney Green ‘a f**king s**g’ for speaking to Jordan Wright.

Taking to Twitter, infuriated fans urged producers to take action against the stars for their behaviour towards their girlfriends, with many users lashing out at the stars for ‘verbally abusing’ their co-stars and calling for immediate suspension. 

Backing up viewers’ feelings was bosses at Women’s Aid, who released a statement aimed at producers following the shocking scenes in the past two episodes.

Ms. Hawkins said: ‘On the latest series of The Only Way is Essex, there are clear warning signs in James Lock’s onscreen controlling and aggressive behaviour.

Furious: At the beginning of series 22, the show stalwart was seen locked in an argument with his girlfriend and her friends Chloe Meadows and Chloe Lewis leading to outraged viewers calling for his dismissal from the show - a call backed by the charity

Furious: At the beginning of series 22, the show stalwart was seen locked in an argument with his girlfriend and her friends Chloe Meadows and Chloe Lewis leading to outraged viewers calling for his dismissal from the show – a call backed by the charity

All smiles: Viewers were left in shock when James was seen shouting at his partner Yazmin Oukhellou (pictured) in a previous episode

All smiles: Viewers were left in shock when James was seen shouting at his partner Yazmin Oukhellou (pictured) in a previous episode

Furious: Taking to Twitter , infuriated fans urged producers to take action against the stars for their behaviour towards their girlfriends, with many users lashing out at the stars for 'verbally abusing' their co-stars and calling for immediate suspension

Furious: Taking to Twitter , infuriated fans urged producers to take action against the stars for their behaviour towards their girlfriends, with many users lashing out at the stars for ‘verbally abusing’ their co-stars and calling for immediate suspension

‘Isolating you from your friends and blaming you for them getting angry can slowly erode your confidence and independence. Abuse in a relationship does not have to be physical, but can be psychological and emotional.

‘By glamorising this controlling and potentially abusive relationship, the show sends out a dangerous message to younger viewers that it is acceptable for men to demean women and exert assumed superiority over them.

‘The producers of The Only Way is Essex need to take responsibility and not use an unhealthy or potentially abusive relationship as a storyline for entertainment, and instead call out domestic abuse on the show and offer anyone affected support and information.’

A spokesperson for TOWIE responded to the charity by telling MailOnline: ‘The Only Way Is Essex reflects the real lives of the cast. The producers strive to portray the whole story without censorship or comment whilst being aware that behaviour should not go unchallenged…

Row: The fight in Barcelona fired off the scandal surrounding James' behaviour towards Yazmin

Row: The fight in Barcelona fired off the scandal surrounding James’ behaviour towards Yazmin

Furious: Others were left aghast when Myles Barnett called girlfriend Courtney Green 'a f**king s**g' for speaking to Jordan Wright

Furious: Others were left aghast when Myles Barnett called girlfriend Courtney Green ‘a f**king s**g’ for speaking to Jordan Wright

‘This is an on-going series and we follow developments with our cast and their relationships, but in the episodes that have aired there have been scenes that showed fellow cast members’ criticism and also reflection and apologies from those involved…

‘An example of such quotes included, “That’s someone’s little girl, if you had a daughter one day, would you want her partner to speak to speak to her the way you speak to Yaz?” – Chloe Lewis to Lockie, also “As a mum I’m not happy with James for one minute. It’s just not right, it really isn’t” – Yaz’s Mum to Yaz. 

‘“You do not talk to me like that and you will never speak to me like that again. My boyfriend don’t talk to me like that and you will certainly never talk to me like that” Chloe Lewis to Lockie.’ 

MailOnline has contacted representatives for James and Yazmin for comment.

Defensive: '“You do not talk to me like that and you will never speak to me like that again. My boyfriend don’t talk to me like that and you will certainly never talk to me like that” Chloe Lewis (pictured) to Lockie'

Defensive: ‘“You do not talk to me like that and you will never speak to me like that again. My boyfriend don’t talk to me like that and you will certainly never talk to me like that” Chloe Lewis (pictured) to Lockie’

Sunday night’s episode caused huge ructions, when Myles came face-to-face with new boy Jordan, who made no secret of his desire to pursue Courtney. 

As their argument gains momentum, Jordan reveals that Courtney showed him one of Myles’ messages while they were away together – leading to Myles throwing his drink at Jordan and then turning on Courtney by branding her ‘a s**g’. 

James meanwhile had a blazing row with both Yazmin and her friend Chloe Lewis, and even left the former’s grandmother being reduced to tears when she recounted details of the argument to the family after moving out of her and James’ home. 

Due to the devastating turn of events, fans were left furious as they insisted the duo should be sacked due to the treatment of their partners.

Furious: Sunday night's episode caused huge ructions, when Myles came face-to-face with new boy Jordan, who made no secret of his desire to pursue Courtney

Furious: Sunday night’s episode caused huge ructions, when Myles came face-to-face with new boy Jordan, who made no secret of his desire to pursue Courtney

MailOnline has contacted representatives for TOWIE, Myles, James, Yazmin and Courtney for comment.

Users commented: ‘The way Myles look at his gf when she was crying. NOPE HUN. He needs to go. Pure distaste on his face. I would be devo if my husband ever looked at me that way KNOW YOUR F**KING WORTH, HUN!!!! #TOWIE… 

‘Catching up on towie and myles is calling Courtney a dirty s**g and tramp on tv the week after lockie completely slaughtered yaz.. 

‘is it a trend to act like a disgusting disrespectful pig these days? Shouldn’t be encouraged or shown for young people to think that’s ok #towie… The script/filming you just did showing the men speaking to girls IS NOT OKAY…

Hitting out: Users commented: 'The way Myles look at his gf when she was crying. NOPE HUN. He needs to go. Pure distaste on his face. I would be devo if my husband ever looked at me that way KNOW YOUR F**KING WORTH, HUN!!!! #TOWIE'

Hitting out: Users commented: ‘The way Myles look at his gf when she was crying. NOPE HUN. He needs to go. Pure distaste on his face. I would be devo if my husband ever looked at me that way KNOW YOUR F**KING WORTH, HUN!!!! #TOWIE’

‘Should not be showing that. These people are actual role models for the younger generation. who are going to think it’s okay @myles_barnett @JamesLock #Fixup… 

‘Shame on @OnlyWayIsEssex for allowing/filming/scripting Myles to speak to a woman like that. Courtney, get rid. It is never acceptable to be called a f**king s**g by your boyfriend… Seriously don’t any of these “men” know how to treat a woman? 

‘Seriously disgusting behaviour from @JamesLock__ & @myles_barnett @jbclark_ over the past 2 weeks. I’d be ashamed if that was my son. #TOWIE… 

‘Just seen a clip of the Myles/Jordan/Courtney row last night. I’m in actual show that #TOWIE allowed that to happen. What a massive a**ehole!!!!!… 

‘Absolutely appalled after watching last nights #TOWIE ~ Myles talking to Courtney in that way was vile to the point it turned my stomach. No body, male or female should EVER accept or excuse that kind of verbal abuse. Disgusting…

‘Can’t understand why Myles hasn’t been suspended, these poor girls shouldn’t have to put up with aggression in the work place,what next slaps & punches #TOWIE…

‘James Lock you gotta wonder when your last 2 gf have said you treated&spoke to them like s**t thats its maybe you that is & has a problem and not them! 

Moved on? Following the demand, it seemed all was well with Yazmin and James as they were seen putting on a romantic display during an outing with their co-stars on Tuesday 

Moved on? Following the demand, it seemed all was well with Yazmin and James as they were seen putting on a romantic display during an outing with their co-stars on Tuesday 

‘#stopblamingthewoman #youclearlyhaverespectandangerissues #sortyourselfout #getagrip… The script/filming you just did showing the men speaking to girls IS NOT OKAY…Should not be showing that. 

‘These people are actual role models for the younger generation. who are going to think it’s okay @myles_barnett @dan_edgar1 @JamesLock__ #Fixup… 

‘I think @JamesLock__ and @myles_barnett should be cut from Towie for the disgusting way they speak to their girlfriends. Broadcasting abuse like that, real or not, is not acceptable #towie’. 

Following the demand, it seemed all was well with Yazmin and James as they were seen putting on a romantic display during an outing with their co-stars. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse in a relationship, visit www.womensaid.org.uk

 



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk