Duncan James

Current Role

Duncan James is the latest star to take on the coveted role of Billy Flynn in West End musical, Chicago. Duncan James will be starring in this London show for a limited period only this summer.

Duncan will play the part of ruthless lawyer, Billy Flynn, from 2nd July 2007 for seven weeks. He will be starring alongside Amra Faye-Wright, Josefina Gabrielleand Susie McKenna at the Cambridge Theatre.

Early Life

Duncan grew up in Dorset where he was raised by his mother and grandparents. Duncan attended the Corfe Hills School and the Milldown School. During his teenage years at school he displayed a strong interest in performing. Duncan starred in a number of school plays. He played Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Dr Watson in Sherlock Holmes. Duncan was raised in a musical family, his grandfather was a music teacher at his school and was a strong influence in his life.

Career Highlights

Duncan James formed boy band Blue in early 2000 with friends Antony Costa, Lee Ryan and Simon Webbe. Blue achieved huge commercial success with an R&B influenced pop sound. Blue released their first single, All Rise, in May 2001 which was followed by 11 top ten UK singles before the band split up in 2004.

As a result of the international success of Blue, Duncan James, was famous worldwide with fans in the UK, Italy, New Zealand and Australia . Duncan launched his solo music career in October 2004 with the single, "I believe my heart." This debut solo single entered the UK charts at number 2. Duncam James then took a break from his solo career to spend time with his baby daughter, Tianie-Finn.

Duncan re-appeared on the UK music scene in May 2006 with singles "Sooner or Later" and "Can't Stop A River." Both of these singles reached disappointing chart positions despite being among the most requested videos on music channels, such as The Box and The Hits. Duncan James unofficially quit the pop business early this year hoping to explore new challenges.

Duncan's recent TV appearances have included the hugely successful Dancing On Ice competition in which he came third. Duncan acquired a new fan base during this show and went on to star in the Dancing on Ice UK tour.

Duncan James' other TV work has included working as a presenter on a number of shows. Duncan presented Capital FM's Party in the Park in 2003 and 2004 and was a presenter on the ITV2 show, Soapstar Superstar. Duncan has also been a guest presenter on The National Lottery, City Hospital, T4 and Record of the Year.

Interesting Facts

• One of Duncan's first jobs was working as a Havenmate at a Haven Holidays campsite on the Isle of Wight
• Despite disappointing chart positions in the UK, Duncan James's solo album was hugely successful in Italy where it reached number 2 on the album chart and achieved platinum status
• Duncan was an altar boy
• Duncan's first single "I Believe My Heart" was a duet with Keedie and was taken from the soundtrack of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, The Woman in White