Big Red Book
Celebrating television's This Is Your Life
James HATFIELD MBE (1956-)
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - James Hatfield, sailor and charity fundraiser, was surprised by Michael Aspel while signing copies of his new book at the Southampton Boat Show.
James, who was born in Ipswich with a hole in his heart, had to endure eight major operations by the time he was 21. After leaving school, he studied Hotel and Catering and worked as a trainee chef at a hotel in Huntingdon. However, he developed a passion for sailing while recovering from one of his operations.
He made the first of his many Atlantic crossings in 1978, raising funds for charity and becoming the first person to sail singlehanded around the world from west to east. In 1996, he skippered the boat Time and Tide in the 30,000-mile BT Global Challenge with a crew of disabled men and women - the first of its kind to compete in such a race.
"I've been got! Let's do it!"
programme details...
on the guest list...
related appearance...
production team...
Series 38 subjects
Jeremy Guscott | Magnus Magnusson | Maureen Rees | Russ Abbot | Sally Gunnell | Graham Cole | James Hatfield