Alex James's Biography

Who is Alex James?

He came to prominence as the bass guitarist of Blur.

Whilst studying French at Goldsmiths College, he co-formed the band Seymour, which later became Blur, comprising of Graham Coxon, Dave Rowntree and Damon Albarn as well as Alex James.

Blur had numerous hits, including their acclaimed album Parklife released in 1994.

Around the time of Alex James's autobiography, Bit Of A Blur, which was published in 2007, BBC 6 Music quoted him as saying of his time with Blur:

"I remember there was one tour when I had two black eyes – one from Dave and one from Graham. Damon wasn't speaking to me either! Giving young men what they want doesn't generally bring out the best in them. Success is almost guaranteed to mess you up more than failure."

In his autobiography, Bit of A Blur, Alex James wrote that he'd spent "a million pounds on champagne and cocaine".

Since the break-up of Blur, Alex James has written for a number of publications including The Independent, The Observer, The Spectator, New Statesman, The Guardian and Harpers & Queen and has regularly appeared on television including, in January 2008, presenting Cocaine: Alex James in Colombia for Panorama.

Nor is Alex James a stranger to radio where he has presented a show on 6 Music, as well as The A to Z of Classic FM Music.

Alex and his wife Clare have three children and live on an organic 200-acre farm in Oxfordshire, where they produce cheese and rear livestock.

In 2008 Alex James was selected to be one of the competitors on BBC Two's Maestro.

In the first week of Maestro, the judges voted Alex James and Peter Snow as the bottom two contenders, but Alex James was saved by the orchestra.

In the third week of Maestro, Alex James was again saved - this time when he was up against Bradley Walsh.

However, the following week, in which coincidentally his wife gave birth, Alex James and Katie Derham missed out on being in the final three left in Maestro for the final.

On 17 July 2009, the BBC reported that Alex James was to start making cheese for the Prince of Wales.

In January 2010 Alex James was the first star to be voted off ITV's Popstar to Operastar. It had been an uphill struggle for him as he was the only competitor who had not been a singer to begin with.