Trivia

While being married to Susan Jameson in real life in the television series 'New Tricks', in which they both appeared, she played the wife of Brian Lane played by Alun Armstrong.

He was awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2009 Queen's Birthday Honours list for his services to Drama.

Was roommates with Marc Bolan in the '60s.

According to Monica Dickens' autobiography "An Open Book", James Bolam, who was a keen horseman, brought her novel "Cobbler's Dream" to the attention of Yorkshire Television, leading to the TV series Follyfoot (1971).

In the episode "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner", several references are made to Terry (James Bolam) resembling "Andy Capp" (a popular newspaper comic strip about a gambling, drinking layabout and his long suffering wife). 15 years later, Bolam would play Andy Capp in a short-lived ITV sit-com.

He trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama.

Was the true inspiration for Marc Bolan's name, not Bob Dylan as reported.

While studying drama at the Central School of Dramatic Art, which he left in 1960, he earned money by washing dishes at a London hotel.

Drama school then repertory in Dundee with Ralph Richardson before moving to London.

His first love is horse racing and as at 1993 co owned 2 horses. King Credo, which won 3 top races including the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury, and Unique New Yorker. Despite his love of horses he's never ridden either of them.

Lives in West Sussex moving there from Fulham in London.

His first theatrical lead was in The Knack with Rita Tushingham in 1962.

His family left the North east when he was age 12 and moved to Derby.

His father died when he was young.

He was in the play and film of Arnold Wesker's 'The Kitchen.

Has lived in Sussex with his actress wife Susan Jameson since 1977.

He was originally cast in the film The Knack ...and How to Get It (1965) but was replaced by Michael Crawford.

Born in Sunderland's Maternity Home to Marion and Robert Bolam.

Made his stage debut in 1959 in The Kitchen at The Royal Court Theatre in London,.

Is widely known to be an intensely private man, seldom granting interviews.

Left Sunderland when he was a boy.

Educated Bede Grammar School.

His parents were Dr James and Marion Scott, After his father died his mother re married and lived at Killingworth Drive, High Barnesnear London.

At 18 attended drama school in London.

Daughter Lucy born 1980.

Billinghurst, West Sussex, England (June 2009)

16 episodes of 'The Likely Lads' were made for radio, broadcast in 1967 and 1968. James Bolam did the adaptations for all the shows based on the original scripts.

Went to a London drama school when 18.