Blessed with leading man looks and a smouldering screen presence, Taunton-born James certainly isn't shy, as witnessed by his nude scene as Mark Anthony in Rome, which earned him legion fans.
His early life
Public school educated and trained at the Central School Of Speech And Drama, where he developed a taste for fencing, James honed his stage skills with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
His career
He went on to appear in TV costume dramas such as Sharpe's Sword, The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall, The Mayor Of Casterbridge and Beau Brummell: This Charming Man. He lists Maybe Baby, A Knight's Tale and Vanity Fair among his silver screen credits.
His personal life
For 11 years the actor - whose surname originates from the Norman French for 'good faith' shared his life with Cold Feet actress Fay Ripley, and was briefly linked to Gwyneth Paltrow. He has a son, Joseph, from his marriage to Waking The Dead actress Holly Aird. The couple divorced in 2002.
The actor went on wed director and producer Jessica Adams in Somerset in July 2014. The duo share three children together: daughter Rose and twin sons, Ned and Kit. The family split their time between their two homes in Somerset and London.
