Who is James Nelson-Joyce? Little Boy Blue actor who plays James ‘Yatesy’ Yates – Here’s all you need to know
ITV's gripping new drama Little Boy Blue tells the harrowing story of how Liverpudlian Rhys Jones was shot dead after football practice, aged just 11.
The cast includes James Nelson-Joyce who plays James Yates - or "Yatesy" - the boy who supplied the gun with which Rhys was killed. Here's all you need to know about the actor who bagged the villainous role...
Who is James and where have I seen him before?
Liverpudlian James played Degsy in ITV series Cilla about Cilla Black, and played a major role as Liam in Sky's comedy-drama Mount Pleasant.
He's also made appearances in Casualty, Shameless and ITV crime drama Vera, and lent his voice to many an advert.
The former footballer is also a brown belt in Ju-Jitsu and is learned in stage combat.
Who does James play in Little Boy Blue?
James plays James 'Yatzy' Yates, a member of the Croxeth Crew gang who gave killer Sean Mercer the Smith and Wesson gun with which he shot school boy Rhys Jones.
As Rhys lay dying, Yates helped Mercer dispose of his bike, clothes and the gun he had provided him with mere minutes before the shooting.
James, who's now 29, was sent down for a maximum of twelve years for his crime in 2009.
His parents were also sent to prison for perverting the course of justice by lying about James' involvement.
Police sniffed out their lies after bugging their home in Croxteth, where they talked openly about the crime and their cover-up.
After being sent down, Yates requested "vulnerable prison" status and was taunted with the nickname "Baby Killer" by fellow inmates.
In 2012 it was reported that Yates was being considered for day release after being moved to an open prison, and then in 2014 he was released just five years after being put behind bars.
Who else stars in Little Boy Blue and when can I watch it?
This Is England’s Stephen Graham plays lead investigator SIO Dave ‘Ned’ Kelly in the drama, and Sonny Beyga plays Rhys.
Rhys’ parents Melanie and Steve are played by Sinead Keenan and Bryan O’Byrne.
The team behind the camera have been responsible for an array of hard-hitting, quality dramas, with producer Kwadjo Dajan having worked on Cilla, Mrs Biggs and Appropriate Adult, while director Paul Whittington also has credits for The Moorside, The Widower, Cilla and Mrs Biggs.
Melanie, Steve and Dave Kelly have all supported the production of the drama, though some from their community disapproved of the general idea of a show being made about the murder.
Little Boy Blue began on ITV on Monday April 24, with the first of four one-hour episodes starting at 9.00pm, and concludes at the same time on May 15.
