Who is James Cracknell? Strictly star and Olympic legend's height, wife, children and more facts

20 September 2019, 17:06 | Updated: 20 September 2019, 17:11

James Cracknell is one of Great Britain's finest ever athletes, and he's now taking to the Strictly dancefloor.

James is one of the 15 celebrities taking part in the 2019 series of Strictly Come Dancing.

He said of joining the show: “I’m really looking forward to being a part of Strictly this year.

"Having spent so many years mucking around in a rowing boat with big men in tight lycra, it’s time I learned a new skill. I need to apologise to my kids in advance for the embarrassment.”

From his wife and kids to rowing across the Atlantic, here is everything you need to know about the sportsman:

1. James Cracknell wife and children: How big is his family?

   

   James is married to TV and radio presenter Beverley Turner.

   The pair tied the knot in 2002, and live together in Chiswick with their son and two girls: Croyde, Kiki and Trixie.

2. James Cracknell height: How tall is he?

   

   The rowing champion measures a towering 6ft 4in.

3. James Cracknell age: How old is he and where is he from?

   James was born on May 5, 1972. He celebrated his 47th birthday in 2019.

   He was born in Sutton, London.

4. James Cracknell Olympic Gold medals: How many does he have?

   

   James has two rowing Olympic Gold medals from the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games.

   Not only that, but he also has six Gold World Championship Medals under his belt, along with numerous other awards.

5. James Cracknell head injury: What happened?

   On July 20 2010, Cracknell was hit from behind by a petrol tanker whilst cycling on a quiet road in Arizona.

   He has attributed his survival to the fact that he was wearing a helmet, noting that it was "shorn in two" after the collision.

   He suffered an injury to the frontal lobes of his brain, and the accident has left him with lasting epilepsy and a changed personality causing a short temper.

6. He rowed across the Atlantic and took on the South Pole with Ben Fogle

   Yes, you read right - Cracknell, along with fellow broadcaster Ben Fogle rowed across the Atlantic in aid of Children in Need.

   The pair completed the gruelling journey in 49 days, 19 hours and 8 minutes.

   In December 2008, James joined forces with Ben Fogle again and Dr Ed Coats to take part in the inaugural Amundsen Omega3 South Pole Race. Their race to the pole covered 473.6 miles of icy terrain and the team suffered dramatic weight-loss, pneumonia, frostbite and infected blisters.