Educated at Coleraine Academical Institution (also school of Brian Campbell (II) & Brian McAlister, James had no interest in acting, concentrating on his French studies. It was not until teacher Robert Simpson encouraged him to take an apprenticeship at the local Riverside Theatre that his interset began, eventually leading him to a drama school in London.
Good friends with Jerome Flynn, they play football together Will appear at the CineMagic World Screen Festival for Young People 2002 in Belfast, N.I. Children: Peggy and Mary. Met his wife in 1989 whilst performing a world tour of Hamlet (she was understudying Ophelia, he was playing Guildenstern), shortly after leaving their respective drama schools. A supporter of Manchester United Football Club His mother-in-law is actress Penelope Munday. Is a avid supporter of Coleraine Football Club and has donated money to the club.