The surgically frozen faces and plastic fantastic bodies of today’s celebrities should be ridiculed not applauded.

But for 19-year-old Sam Barton, a self-confessed Botox addict and openly gay teenager, it’s a look which he has aspired to adopt since he was 16.

Initially too young to have the injections, which have become an increasingly common beauty treatment among today’s youth obsessed stars, when Barton turned 18, he had the works.

From spray tans to skin fillers, the Birmingham student set about transforming his face and body to mirror that of his celebrity idols, including singer and former X Factor judge Danni Minogue and The Only Way Is Essex’s Harry Derbidge.

‘I was always concerned about my appearance,’ explains Barton.

‘When I turned 17 and 18, I started taking notice of magazines and newspapers and hanging around glamorous people who were having surgery.

‘It had a knock-on effect on me and I wanted to lead a celebrity lifestyle.’

Determined to be a part of the ‘it’ crowd, he made it his mission to befriend z-list celebrities, partying at trendy nightspots in Manchester and London and sneaking backstage at concerts.

Listing glamour models Jodie Marsh and Gemma Massey among his friends, both of whom are no strangers to the knife and needle, Barton says he had his first Botox not just because of its effects but because of the pressures of being a celebrity.

He said: ‘When I turned 18, I felt I was an adult and older, so I needed to have Botox.

‘All the big celebrities at the time were having it so it was the feeling of being someone like them.

‘Watching Gemma (Massey) growing up in this industry, having boob jobs and Botox, I wanted to do the same thing.’

But looking like a cover star comes at a price and the cash-strapped student, currently studying accountancy at Staffordshire college, quickly ran into huge debt.

Having Botox injected every eight to 12 weeks at one stage, Barton admits his habit has became difficult to maintain.

‘I was living the lifestyle of a celebrity on a part-time wage, which obviously can’t be done.

‘I took out credit cards and store cards. Or I would borrow the money. I would find a way.’

However, Barton doesn’t believe he has a problem.

He added: ‘Every time I have a treatment my self-esteem is boosted.

‘I would sacrifice a year of my life, if not more, in order to look good.’

Sadly, Barton is not alone in his insecurities.

According to a new study, gay men are much more anxious about their appearance than straight men.

The research, carried out by the Centre for Appearance Research at Bristol’s University of West England, in collaboration with the Succeed Foundation and Central YMCA, found that gay men are much more anxious about their appearance than straight men.

A spokesman from health charity The Succeed Foundation says our quick-fix society is to blame for the increase in men choosing to undertake extreme procedures such as Botox and plastic surgery.

He said: ‘We are too often looking for a quick solution to our insecurities, rather than looking at the roots of the problem.

‘On the other hand, the fact that our research is lifting the veil on the worries that men have is a positive step and we are confident that this is a beginning to new action.’