Fans will know him best for his recent role as deputy-headteacher, Joe Casey in BBC school drama Waterloo Road, but actor James Baxter has more than a few impressive acting credits under his belt. First shooting to fame in Emmerdale back in 2007, the young star quickly made a name for himself in the TV industry, as part of the Doland family in the long running ITV soap.

With roles in shows such as Red Dwarf, Joe Maddison’s War and even Open All Hours reboot, Still Open All Hours, James has continued to work on perfecting his craft as an easily recognisable and in demand actor. In fact, it was while pursing an acting career that he first met and fell for his teenage sweetheart – someone that would later go on to have a lasting impact on his life.

Here’s everything we know about James’ life off-screen so far.

Early Life

Born and raised in Sunderland in August 1990, James William Baxter lived a relatively uneventful childhood before discovering his love of performing. Having attended Farringdon Community Sports College for his compulsory education, James also attended weekly classes at the Northern Academy Of Dramatic Arts, held at the city's Royalty Theatre.

Coming face to face with the thrill of theatre, James soon developed a love for the profession and even starred in various productions during his time with the organisation, including Some Like It Hot and the 2006 pantomime production Aladdin.

It was while attending these classes and an additional acting workshop at the age of just 14, that James first met Emmerdale actress Chelsea Halfpenny – a fellow teenager with whom he was immediately smitten.

However, despite “falling in love at first sight” the couple didn’t actually embark on a romance together until several years later, after they had both found success in Emmerdale, albeit at different times.

Career

Aside from amateur productions, James first cut his teeth in the acting world at the Edinburgh Fringe festival in 2007, when he starred in stage play Scarborough as a teenager embarking upon an illicit affair with his PE Teacher.

Despite the controversial subject matter, his performance captivated audiences and critics alike and even won him a best-actor nomination for a Festival Fringe Award.

That same year, James also landed his first big role as Jake Doland in Emmerdale. Starring in the soap for two years, he was a firm fan favourite before sadly being written out with the departure of his character’s family at the conclusion of their storyline.

Another notable role for James, was when he played Jesus in the long running sci-fi comedy series Red Dwarf during the show’s reboot in 2012. He also went on to star in BBC drama The Revenge Files of Alistair Fury and even bagged a role in series two of Hebburn.

Since 2013, he has continued to play the role of Leroy in BBC1 series Still Open All Hours alongside David Jason, and has also appeared in BBC2 show Alma’s Not Normal.

Most recently however, he has been delighting audiences in Waterloo Road, a role he first picked up in 2022.

Personal Life

Despite having fallen head over heels for Chelsea Halfpenny back in their youth, it wasn’t until 2018 well over a decade after their first fateful meeting, that the couple first began dating after having unexpectedly bumped into each other at the National Television Awards.

Fast forward three years, and the loved up couple officially announced their engagement in 2021, much to the delight of their friends, family and fans!

Speaking to The Mirror about the experience, Chelsea told the publication: "If you’d told those two teenagers then that they’d be getting married 16 years later they’d have thought it was mad!

"I really fancied him and he did not fancy me at all! He’s a year older and I thought he was really cool, but I also remember thinking – ‘Well, no wonder he’s not interested, because he’s just so much older than me!’"

She added: "We never kept in touch because he had no interest in me at all. I just really remembered him because I liked him so much.”

Baby Joy

As well as planning a wedding together, the smitten couple were also blessed with the news that their family would soon be expanding as they shared their pregnancy announcement with the world back in April 2023.

"As if renovating a house wasn't enough, we've decided to grow a baby at the same time!" Chelsea told her 32,000 followers at the time. "Officially MENTAL @jamesbaxterrealtalk But we are so close to meeting our new little best mate!"

James then also re-shared the post to his Instagram story, adding a string of red heart emojis too. "Let's hope they're like you for both our sakes," he later added along with crying laughter emojis in a cheeky message to his wife-to-be.

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