Biography

James Ruddick was born in England and educated at Stratford-upon-Avon College and the University of York, where he was winner of the Ursula Waddey Memorial Award. Later he trained as a broadcast journalist.

Through the 1990s James Ruddick worked in newspapers as a journalist and features writer, and in radio as a reporter and presenter. His television appearances include presenting features on LWT and the BBC, including, most recently, the consumer affairs programme, Inside Out, for BBC 1.

His work in television also includes productions as senior researcher, director and documentary consultant for ITV and the BBC.

In 1994 James Ruddick published his first book, Lord Lucan: What Really Happened, an investigation into the disappearance of the Earl of Lucan, which became the basis for a major ITV production, starring Julian Wadham in the title role (it was also adapted for BBC Radio Four's Saturday play season, starring Nathaniel Parker.) The book was serialised in the Daily Mirror and attracted considerable press interest in its findings.

In 2000 James Ruddick reported for BBC radio on the campaign for the US Presidency, returning in the New Year of 2001 to report from Florida on the disputed outcome of the election.

In September, 2001 James Ruddick published Death at the Priory: Love, Sex and Murder in Victorian England, an investigation into the poisoning of Charles Bravo. The book became a world-wide success, attracting critical acclaim in England, the US, Canada and Australia. An account of James Ruddick's investigation was subsequently filmed for the BBC as The Balham Mystery and the book also inspired the television drama, A Most Mysterious Murder.

In 2003, James Ruddick was nominated for an Edgar Award for non-fiction writing.

In spring, 2006 James Ruddick completed work on a major new biography of the actor, Kenneth Williams.