After Dinner Speakers: James Allen, Bird & Fortune, Stereophonics

James Allen became ITV Sport's lead commentator on Formula 1 in October last year, having deputised for Murray Walker at six races during the 2000 and 2001 seasons. James joined ITV in 1997 as pit lane reporter having fulfilled a similar role on the American sports channel ESPN since 1993. His sharp, often humorous analysis of team's race strategies and the goings on in the pit lane quickly became a feature of ITV's coverage. James was born into a racing family, his father Bill was a works Lotus driver in the 1960s, enjoying success in sportscar events like the Le Mans 24 Hrs. James studied English and Modern languages at Oxford University and joined the Brabham team as press officer in 1990. The following year he drew the short straw when the team hired Martin Brundle and Mark Blundell and James was responsible for ensuring them a good press! He moved into journalism in 1992 as Autosport's News editor. Two years later he went to America to present Nigel Mansell's IndyCar 94 on ITV. He co-wrote Mansell's best selling autobiography in 1995 and in 1998 he followed it up with a second book: Michael Schumacher, Driven to extremes. He lives in West London with his wife Pip and baby son Enzo.