James Whitaker

James Whitaker (born 4 October 1940) is a British journalist, specialising in the British royal family.

Biography

Formerly a pupil at Uppingham School, Rutland, Whitaker is best known as the Royal Editor of the "Daily Mirror." He broke the story of Princess Diana's eating disorder. On 14 November, 1982 then Assistant Editor Anne Robinson attended a formal dinner attended by HM Queen Elizabeth II, at which she noted that Princess Diana arrived late. Robinson asked Whitaker to investigate, and after conversations with various sources including Diana's sister Lady Sarah McCorquodale, confirmed Diana was suffering from an eating disorder, then identified as anorexia in a scoop article on 19 November. As a result, Buckingham Palace Press Secretary Michael Shay rang then Mirror editor Mike Malloy to demand the removal of those involved in the story.

Whitaker survived, but Robinson was subsequently removed from the editorial rota and was advised by Malloy to "...do more television petal, that's what you're good at." Robinson was eventually told why she was removed, and it was later confirmed that Princess Diana suffered from bulimia."You Can't Fire Me, I'm Famous" - BBC1, Anne Robinson in interview with Piers Morgan - 7th August 2007]

Whitaker is Royal Correspondent for the ITV television programme, "This Morning". In 2004, he took part in the reality television programme, "Celebrity Fit Club" and was made team captain for the final 3 weeks, and was made Mr Fit Club 2004. He is one of three judges on Australia's "Australian Princess" television programme.

On 4th September 2007, Whitaker was left stunned, as he went head-to-head with Bez, from Manchester band Happy Mondays, on the ITV television programme Don't Call Me Stupid and lost. Bez and Whitaker taught each other about their respective specialist subjects, the Manchester music scene and royal etiquette, and were then quizzed on what they had learnt. This was followed by a general-knowledge round. Despite not knowing that the Queen has two birthdays, Bez still managed to win. His prize, as selected by Whitaker, was a bottle of posh red wine and a decanter so he didn't have to drink any cheap "poor person's" supermarket plonk. Perhaps the better prize, though, was the look on Whitaker's face, as he realized that he'd been beaten by Bez.

James is as of Wednesday 6 February 2008, the Celebrity Guest in Countdown on Channel 4 with Susie Dent, Carol Vorderman and Des O'Connor, fulfilling the interlude before the 'tea-time teaser' with Royal stories.

References