Bobby Norris shows off his new muscular physique after overcoming insecurities caused TOWIE co-stars

TOWIE favorite Bobby Norris says his body has never looked better now that he’s finally gotten over the insecurities caused by comparing himself to his ‘Adonis’ co-stars.

The 36-year-old former ITVBe regular told MailOnline he hated everything about her slim body despite often baring it all for the Essex series in her famous beach thong, which barely covered her modesty.

But behind the scenes, Bobby struggled with his body image and felt viewers perceived him as ‘weak’ and ‘fragile’ while his co-stars, including James Lock and Dan Edgar, flaunted their muscular physiques while filming in Marbella.

Now, after overcoming his fear of gyms, quitting smoking and controlling his alcohol intake, Bobby – who shows off his new muscular body in exclusive MailOnline photos – says he has gone from being a ‘bean sprout’ to a man who feels “proud” to be. .

He said: ‘I never used to be a gym person, anyone who has seen me on TV over the last decade will know that I have never been one of the guys who has been muscular.

‘I used to be Bobby beansprout if I’m being honest. I was scared to go into a gym, and I created this phobia in my head because you see all these beautiful bodies on social media and on the guys at the gym… I used to think it was okay for them to go into a gym because they already look good. .

‘A lot of gyms can be quite posey, which I found intimidating. Some people literally go all glam. I go to the most amazing gym and have never felt uncomfortable. If anything, I wish I had started training earlier.

Bobby, who rose to fame in 2012 after joining TOWIE, says he hardly knows himself when he watches reruns of the reality show.

He explained, “I watch reruns of old TOWIE episodes, and I feel like I’m looking at a different person, which is very strange.”

‘I almost want to jump on the screen and help that boy I see. If I look back and think I’ve never said this before, I was definitely very self-conscious in TOWIE, believe it or not, because of some of the bathing suits I’ve worn over the years and questionable outfits.

“But I was shy comparing myself to the other guys because they were like Adonis, they were chiseled and muscular and just right for them, it wasn’t their fault, they didn’t make me feel that way…it was mine.” insecurities

‘I’m proud because I look back at where I was and I know where I am now.

‘When I look at myself, it reminds me of everything I’ve put into it. This is not a diet, it is a lifestyle for me.

He was not a healthy man before. I feel sad for that guy because I know he was struggling.

‘I didn’t really like anything about my body before, there wasn’t anything, it’s pretty sad really. People saw me as weak and fragile, and I wanted them to see me as strong.’

Known for his quiff, bright white smile and skinny jeans, Bobby admits that after gaining muscle from his extensive gym regimen and working out up to six times a week, he had to go through his entire wardrobe because his clothes no longer fit. .

He also says that his fans barely recognize him now and often do a triple take, but his Essex accent is the gift.

He said: ‘I had to change my whole wardrobe because my body shape is different.

‘A lot of the skinny jeans I used to wear I can’t even get them over my calves and it’s the same with tops.

“I can tell that people sometimes take a second or even a third look and it’s not until I open my mouth… I was in Sainsbury’s and this girl said: ‘I thought it was you, but I knew it wasn’t your body.’

Bobby has achieved his new look by working out at the gym and increasing his protein intake and says there is not a body part he neglects while working out.

He explained: ‘I do shoulders, calves and abs, another session I’ll do back and hamstrings, then I’ll do chest, triceps and abs. I do five to six times a week at the gym.

“When I wake up I have a Herbal Life shake, a mid-morning protein snack and for lunch it’s always very high protein, but at the range I can make protein waffles and pancakes, there’s a hot soup, if I’m home I eat a chicken caesar salad, and between that and dinner, I eat a protein bar, and for dinner, something like chicken or steak, as long as it has macros in it. I juggle things so nothing gets too boring.’

He hasn’t ruled out a future in bodybuilding either, and jokes that deep tans are used by competitors to further emphasize their muscles is something he might agree with.

“In terms of bodybuilding, never say never, but I guess I’m still a long way off,” Bobby said.

I’m willing to challenge myself so if I can gain a little more muscle then maybe. I also love tanning, I love spray tanning, I won’t lie!’

Bobby, who for years has campaigned for changes to the law on online trolling, even appearing in parliament, says he still receives hateful comments about his appearance.

He said: “In terms of my new body, I have some haters and that’s fine, but I think the trolls think it’s fair game.”

‘There are some who still like to have a little pop saying I looked better before, but you can’t please everyone all the time.

“They would kill me because I looked the way I used to and now I look the way I look, and they still kill me. I can laugh at them now because I remember what they said not long ago.

After impressing with his transformation, Bobby is launching his own fitness website called Bobby’s Body Blitz, which will launch on Thursday across his social media channels.

Bobby says that his new blueprint, consisting of workout plans to suit every fitness goal, whether it’s to tone up, build muscle or lose weight, will cater to everyone.

He said: ‘I launched my own fitness website Bobby’s Body Blitz because I am well aware that time is so precious to all of us and anyone I can help, it was no piece of cake.

‘Not everyone wants to go to a gym and that’s okay, so I’ve created plans and many variations. Some people want to lose weight, others are looking to tone up, and then there are people who want to shred or bulk up. If I can do it, anyone can.