A Birmingham dad who credits reality TV prison show 'Brits Behind Bars' with turning his life around said he would 'love to go back' if the programme still existed.
From bad lad to changed man
At the height of a £300-a-week cocaine addiction 20 years ago, James Daly was a self-confessed 'bad lad' whose life was spiralling out of control. Clocking up thousands of pounds in debt, the then 27-year-old, expecting his first child at the time, knew he needed to make drastic changes.
That decision led the former football thug to sign up to TV experiment Brits Behind Bars in 2006, which saw participants partake in a gruelling two-week stay in 'America's toughest prison'. Now 46 and living in Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, James said the experience, designed to stop bad boys re-offending, 'changed' his outlook on life and helped set him on a different path.
Life after the show
While never straying too far from 'the straight and narrow' again, James admitted he still suffered major setbacks in his life after appearing on the show, including a stint living on the streets. 'I've had lots of ups and downs,' said the dad of two boys, one aged 15 and the other 19. 'I lost the boys' mum in 2012, which was really shocking. I was made homeless after that. There was a lot of sofa surfing and living in temporary accommodation that wasn't suitable.'
'Then I got into a relationship and married very quickly. That didn't work out. I've been spending a lot of time finding myself and building back up from there.'
Enduring impact
James said he took 'strength' from his appearance on the show, which he often revisited due to its lasting impact on him. 'It will be 20 years since the show aired this November,' said the dad, who joined nine other wayward Brits in being voluntarily incarcerated at the notorious Maricopa County Jail in Arizona. 'I can't believe it has been that long. It changed my outlook on life.'
James, who was getting into fights at Birmingham City games at the peak of his addiction, said the programme taught him 'compassion and empathy'. 'I'd love to go back to America and do it again,' he said. 'But I spoke to an ex-producer on the show not long ago and he said it doesn't exist anymore.'
Giving back to the community
'Instead, I'm concentrating on being a good dad and staying out of trouble. I want to help the youth and get a message out, especially with what's been going on over the last few years. I see what's going on with knife crime and stuff. If there's any small groups of lads in Birmingham who need help, I'd be willing to do talks. Talks on mental health and letting people know there's someone who knows what it's like. I see them in certain situations where I had found myself.'
Asked if he was excited for the World Cup, James, who was pictured in an England top when we interviewed him in 2007, said: 'I used to be a big football fan. I'll watch the England games, but I don't drink or do drugs anymore.'
Staying strong
Does he ever get tempted? 'Tempted? Yeah I get tempted,' he added. 'It's always there. I've just been to Ireland and had a couple of Guinnesses, but I'm older now anyway. I want to be around to see my kids grow up and that. They're brilliant lads.'
