James Buckley, best known for playing Jay Cartwright in The Inbetweeners, has cut back on alcohol after discovering he carries a genetic predisposition to cardiovascular problems. His wife, Clair Buckley, disclosed the news during an appearance on The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X, explaining that the actor "still drinks" but has scaled back for the sake of his health.
The 38-year-old actor has elevated levels of lipoprotein(a), an inherited combination of fat and protein produced in the liver. According to cholesterol charity HEART UK, high levels of this substance can cause it to adhere to artery walls and block them, potentially leading to heart disease and stroke at an early age.
How the Discovery Came About
Speaking on the couple's podcast, At Home With The Buckleys, James revealed that he found out about his high lipoprotein(a) during a routine health check while Clair was hospitalised for severe dehydration. After a blood test raised concerns, Buckley requested further testing, which confirmed the condition.
Clair recounted the chain of events on the radio show, saying: "I think he had his mum sending him a message saying, 'Oh, I've got this sort of genetic thing'. And she was like 'you need to get checked', which he did and then they were like 'yeah, no, you do have it, so just try and be a bit healthier'."
Lifestyle Changes and Medical Advice
As a result, James "knocked it on the head for a little while" regarding alcohol, but Clair noted that he still goes to the pub. On the podcast, Buckley commented on his condition, saying: "There's nothing you can do about it. And the doctor's just been like, 'you need to change'. My heart, my arteries. I'm not a religious man, but sometimes I feel like there is a God that sort of goes 'that'll teach you'."
Elevated lipoprotein(a) levels are widespread, affecting approximately 20% of people globally, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Because these levels are dictated by genetics, they remain unchanged throughout a person's lifetime. HEART UK advises that management should include reducing overall risk of heart disease and stroke, aiming for a non-HDL cholesterol level below 2.5mmol/L and/or LDL cholesterol below 1.8mmol/L.
Clair's Health Scare and Career Updates
Clair also shared details of her own health scare that coincided with James's diagnosis. She said: "I got a little virus and it just apparently dehydrated me beyond belief. And I didn't really know until it was time to go to hospital." She added: "I'm all good now. I've been on the electrolytes for weeks now."
Buckley played Jay Cartwright in The Inbetweeners and its two film adaptations, released in 2011 and 2014. His most recent role was in the 2026 film Mother's Pride with Martin Clunes.
