James Whitaker
Encyclopedia
James Whitaker is a British journalist
, specialising in the British royal family
.
, Whitaker is best known as the Royal Editor of the Daily Mirror. He broke the story of the eating disorder
of Diana, Princess of Wales. On 14 November 1982 then Assistant Editor Anne Robinson
attended a formal dinner attended by HM Queen Elizabeth II
, at which she noted that Diana, Princess of Wales
, 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 Diana suffered from bulimia.
Whitaker is the author of the 1993 book Diana v. Charles (London, Signet Books, ISBN 0-670-85245-7), which chronicled the deterioration of the relationship between Charles, Prince of Wales
and his wife, Diana Princess of Wales.
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 4 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
.
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.
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
, specialising in the British royal family
British Royal Family
The British Royal Family is the group of close relatives of the monarch of the United Kingdom. The term is also commonly applied to the same group of people as the relations of the monarch in her or his role as sovereign of any of the other Commonwealth realms, thus sometimes at variance with...
.
Biography
Formerly a pupil at Cheltenham CollegeCheltenham College
Cheltenham College is a co-educational independent school, located in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England.One of the public schools of the Victorian period, it was opened in July 1841. An Anglican foundation, it is known for its classical, military and sporting traditions.The 1893 book Great...
, Whitaker is best known as the Royal Editor of the Daily Mirror. He broke the story of the eating disorder
Eating disorder
Eating disorders refer to a group of conditions defined by abnormal eating habits that may involve either insufficient or excessive food intake to the detriment of an individual's physical and mental health. Bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge eating disorder are the most common specific...
of Diana, Princess of Wales. On 14 November 1982 then Assistant Editor Anne Robinson
Anne Robinson
Anne Josephine Robinson is an English journalist and television presenter, known for her assertive views and acerbic style of presenting. She was one of the presenters on the long-running British consumer affairs series, Watchdog, from 1993 to 2001 before returning in 2009...
attended a formal dinner attended by HM Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
, at which she noted that Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
, arrived late. Robinson asked Whitaker to investigate, and after conversations with various sources including Diana's sister Lady Sarah McCorquodale
Lady Sarah McCorquodale
The Lady Elizabeth Sarah Lavinia McCorquodale is the older sister of Diana, Princess of Wales.-Early life:Sarah was born The Honourable Elizabeth Sarah Lavinia Spencer; she acquired the courtesy title The Lady Elizabeth Sarah Lavinia Spencer in 1975, when her grandfather died and her father became...
, confirmed Diana was suffering from an eating disorder, then identified as anorexia
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by refusal to maintain a healthy body weight and an obsessive fear of gaining weight. Although commonly called "anorexia", that term on its own denotes any symptomatic loss of appetite and is not strictly accurate...
in a scoop article on 19 November. As a result, Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
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 Diana suffered from bulimia.
Whitaker is the author of the 1993 book Diana v. Charles (London, Signet Books, ISBN 0-670-85245-7), which chronicled the deterioration of the relationship between Charles, Prince of Wales
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
and his wife, Diana Princess of Wales.
Whitaker is Royal Correspondent for the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
television programme, This Morning
This Morning (TV series)
This Morning is a British daytime television programme broadcast on ITV. As of September 2011, its main presenters are Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, and Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes, with various other presenters standing in for illness or contributing to sections of the programme.The...
. 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
Australian Princess
Australian Princess is an Australian reality television show that first premiered on Network Ten on 5 October 2005. It is produced by Granada Productions, who are responsible for other programs such as Dancing with the Stars, Australia's Next Top Model and Merrick and Rosso Unplanned.The show is...
television programme.
On 4 September 2007, Whitaker was left stunned, as he went head-to-head with Bez, from Manchester band Happy Mondays
Happy Mondays
Happy Mondays are an English alternative rock band from Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1980, the band's original line-up was Shaun Ryder on lead vocals, his brother Paul Ryder on bass, lead guitarist Mark Day, keyboardist Paul Davis, and drummer Gary Whelan...
, on the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
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
Plonk (wine)
Plonk is an unspecific and derogatory term in British and Australian English for wine that is notably inexpensive or judged to be of poor quality. It is believed to come from Australian slang, in reference to blanc , before it became naturalised in Britain...
.
James is as of Wednesday 6 February 2008, the Celebrity Guest in Countdown
Countdown (game show)
Countdown is a British game show involving word and number puzzles. It is produced by ITV Studios and broadcast on Channel 4. It is presented by Jeff Stelling, assisted by Rachel Riley, with regular lexicographer Susie Dent. It was the first programme to be aired on Channel 4, and over sixty-five...
on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
with Susie Dent
Susie Dent
Susie Dent is an English lexicographer, well known as the resident dictionary expert and adjudicator on Channel 4’s long-running game show Countdown. As of January 2009, she is the longest-serving member of the current on-screen team, having first appeared on the show in 1992.Dent was educated at...
, Carol Vorderman
Carol Vorderman
Carol Jean Vorderman MBE is a British media personality, best known for co-hosting the popular game show Countdown for 26 years from 1982 to 2008. In September 2011 she became a co-anchor of the ITV1 panel show Loose Women....
and Des O'Connor
Des O'Connor
Des O'Connor, CBE is an English comedian and singer. A former talkshow host, he was the presenter of the long-running Channel 4 gameshow Countdown for two years...
, fulfilling the interlude before the 'tea-time teaser' with Royal stories.