James Lock faces a second ban from ‘The Only Way is Essex’ after accusations he racially abused two men on set.
The reality star was talking to the men at a pool party at the Essex Pine Grove mansion when he was reportedly overheard calling them "black f******" by someone nearby, who made a formal complaint about the comments to TV bosses.
Whilst the alleged victims haven’t made complaints against the star, an investigation has been launched into the incident.
A spokesperson for the ITVBe structured reality show told The Sun newspaper: "Any issues of this nature are obviously taken very seriously and a thorough investigation is already ongoing.
"The cast member concerned denies these allegations."
James – who recently split with girlfriend Danielle Armstrong – was first suspended from the show last year when he was suspected of taking a class A drug and later charged with possessing the class C drug ketamine.
Although he pleaded guilty to the charges, he was allowed to return to the Essex-based show three months later.
A source said at the time: "Lockie is an immensely popular chap with big story-lines but it is touch and go whether he stays on the show."
If he is suspended, he wouldn’t be the only star to be reprimanded, with Mario Falcone recently forced to take a break after breaking his contract, and Gemma Collins previously being suspended following a blazing row which erupted during a taping in Marbella.
James Lock accused of racism
