James Buckley, best known for his role as Jay in The Inbetweeners, has revealed he has been diagnosed with a genetic condition that has led him to stop drinking alcohol. The 38-year-old actor underwent a routine health check after his wife Clair was hospitalised with severe dehydration.
On his podcast The Buckleys, James explained that a previous blood test flagged a concern, prompting him to request further tests. The results showed he has Lipoprotein(a), a genetically inherited type of blood cholesterol that puts him at risk of a cardiovascular incident.
Lifestyle changes and diagnosis details
The condition, which affects around one in five people globally, typically shows no physical symptoms until a cardiovascular event occurs. It leads to faster plaque buildup in arteries, increases inflammation, and raises the risk of blood clotting. As a result, James has given up drinking and is cutting down on takeaways.
James said on his show: "I've also had health problems as well. It's something to do with my Lipoprotein(a), something to do with that. There's nothing you can do about it, by the way. And the doctor's just been like: 'You need to change'."
Concerns for his children
He admitted the diagnosis has made him rethink his lifestyle choices, noting he is "a high risk now for a cardiovascular incident." He joked about his past criticism of non-drinkers, saying: "I feel like I've been on this podcast slagging people off that don't drink. Yeah, we have boring stuff. And now I've been told to try not [laughter] in rein it in."
Despite his current alcohol ban, he admitted: "I'm going to have a beer soon." He also expressed concern that his two sons with Clair may have inherited the condition.
Possible Inbetweeners reboot
Meanwhile, reports suggest talks are advancing for a reboot of The Inbetweeners, with Netflix reportedly keen to sign Emily Atack. The four main stars, including James, are expected to reprise their roles, though Emily's return is unconfirmed. A source told The Sun: "The creators of the show have written the script and are ready to roll. Emily is one of the missing pieces in the project they're keen to get in place."
The source added: "But it's fair to say getting Emily back would be the cherry on the Inbetweeners cake." Scheduling conflicts among the main actors are reportedly another hurdle.
