James Blunt

James' father, Colonel Charlie Blount, was a career soldier and helicopter pilot. His mother, Jane, started up a ski chalet company in the French Alps resort of Méribel. James has two younger sisters; Emily and Daisy. Colonel Blount infused a love of flying into his son, and James earned his pilot's license at the age of 16.

James gained an army-sponsored place at the University of Bristol, where he studied sociology. The title of his dissertation was "The Commodification of Image – Production of a Pop Idol." He'd wanted to be a professional singer since the age of 13.

James was the first British officer to enter the Kosovo capital during the 1999 conflict. His general famously refused an order to fire on Russian troops who had taken the Pristina airport, averting an international incident.