DUNCAN James is a hopeless romantic who has been hoping to find his one true love on Channel 4’s Celebrity First Dates Hotel.
The 40-year-old is also an actor and presenter and a rising reality star – but what else do we know about him?
3
Who is Duncan James?
Duncan James, 41, is a singer, actor and television presenter best known for being part of popular noughties boyband Blue.
Duncan, alongside band members Antony Costa, Lee Ryan and Simon Webbe, enjoyed hits such as All Rise, Too Close and One Love.
In late 2004, the band announced a hiatus before releasing a compilation album later that year.
In 2011, the band reunited to represent the UK at the Eurovision song contest where they sang a song called I Can – finishing in 11th place with 100 points.
In 2013, the lads reformed once more to take part in The Big Reunion TV show and subsequent tour alongside other popular pop groups from the past – including Atomic Kitten, Liberty X and 5ive.
Duncan was declared bankrupt in 2013 and had to sell his home, putting his bankruptcy down to the property crash, after investing in homes for his ex, daughter and parents.
3
When did Duncan James join Hollyoaks?
Duncan joined the Hollyoaks cast in August 2016 and played policeman Ryan Knight.
His character was the husband of Hollyoaks stalwart Amy Barnes, who is mum to Leah and Lucas – her children by Ste Hay.
However, Ryan killed Amy on their wedding day.
He made his brief comeback to the Channel 4 soap in April 2018.
3
What else has Duncan appeared in?
Between his popstar and soapstar career, Duncan made a name for himself treading the boards in musicals.
He toured the UK as Tick in the drag queen extravaganza Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and also took on the role of Warner Huntington III in Legally Blonde: The Musical.
Making sure he truly is a jack of all trades when it comes to entertainment, he has presented TV shows including Soapstar Superstar, Pop City Live and Entertainment Today on GMTV.
He starred in the fourth series of Celebrity First Dates Hotel on Channel 4.
It premiered on September 5 and concluded on October 10, with the likes of Ulrika Jonsson and AJ Odudu all joining the number of celebs who hoped to find love on the show.
How did Duncan James reveal he is gay?
Duncan came out as bisexual in 2010 – but more recently said he was gay.
In an interview with OK! Magazine, he revealed that he came out to bandmate Simon Webbe.
He said: “When I told Simon, he encouraged me to speak to my mum, who was in LA with me in a hotel at the time.
“I raided my mini bar, drank a load of drinks, then knocked on her door.”
He continued: “I was sobbing and I sat her down and said: ‘Remember my friend Pete? I’ve been in love with him. He’s been my secret boyfriend.’
“She said: ‘You’re gay? I thought you were going to say you had cancer!'”
He previously dated celebrity socialite Tara Palmer-Tomkinson and was devastated when she died at 45 in 2016.
Duncan has one daughter named Tianie Finn by his ex-girlfriend Claire Grainger.
