James Hewitt
- For the article about the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, see James Hewitt, 1st Viscount Lifford.
- For the article about the early American musician and music publisher, see James Hewitt (musician).
Captain James Hewitt (born in Dublin, on 30 April 1958), a former British household cavalry officer, is famous for being the longterm lover of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and was rumoured to be the biological father of Prince Harry, which he has denied.[1] He has courted controversy by revealing details of their affair. There were rumours of a palace deal with newspapers but this is not corroborated. Princess Diana admitted in her famous Panorama interview that she had committed adultery with Hewitt. As Diana was then the wife of the Prince of Wales, heir to the throne, this was high treason, but so far Hewitt has not been prosecuted.[2] The affair ended in 1992.
Hewitt grew up in Kent and Devon. He was educated at Millfield School and Sandhurst. He served as a Major in the first gulf war. He retired from the Life Guards in March 1994 after 17 years of service.
Television career
- Hewitt lifted 82.5 kg in the 2003 weightlifting event of Channel 4's The Games (a celebrity athletics tournament), setting a record which he held jointly with 2004 competitor Shane Lynch, until this was beaten in 2005 by Philip Olivier. He eventually came second.
- In 2003, Hewitt took part in the Five reality TV show Back To Reality and eventually won it.
- In July 2004, he took part in the Swedish TV show High Chaparall, in which he was interviewed over several days whilst carrying on his normal life.
- In 2005, he took part in the ITV wrestling competition Celebrity Wrestling where he went under the moniker of "Gentleman Jim", and appeared on Heads Up with Richard Herring to discuss his life, career and his love of poker.
- In 2005 Hewitt also appeared on Car Cruzin', a UK documentary series showcasing the cars of rich and famous individuals. On the show, Hewitt presented his Range Rover Sport, and also revealed the fact that he is not allowed to own firearms.
- In 2005 he also appeared in Bullrun: Cops, Cars & Superstars II, riding with Ryan Dunn in one out of the five Bravo cars.
- In 2006, he appeared on the BBC show Top Gear as a celebrity guest, achieving a lap time around the Top Gear test track in the Chevrolet Lacetti of 1:47.69. The presenters, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, roguishly claimed to not recognize him and he was thereafter referred to as the "well-spoken man".
- In May 2006, Hewitt starred as a contestant in The X Factor: Battle Of The Stars, alongside fellow kiss-and-tell "celebrity" Rebecca Loos, but was evicted after the final showdown on Thursday night (Night 4). He was mentored by Simon Cowell who, despite being supportive in his role, did not deny Hewitt's notable lack of vocal talent.
- In February 2007, he appeared on Al Murray's Happy Hour.
- Featured in ITV "prank show" All New Celebrity Pranks with Frank Bruno in which Hewitt was "arrested" by two actors pretending to be policemen. Accusing Hewitt of using live firearms, they proceeded to have him fire paintball guns planted in the car to test the theory that "a bullet will come flying out of them". Finally the arresting officer declared that this was a prime case of "Guns, Birds, and Hewitt" and he was released without charge.