Few indie rock frontmen have a life story as layered as Tim Booth’s: he is the voice behind James’s anthems, but a childhood liver condition, a near-death experience, and a move across continents add unexpected depth. The verified facts about his age, health, family, and exit from the band cut through the speculation.
Full name: Timothy Booth ·
Date of birth: 4 February 1960 ·
Age (as of 2026): 66 ·
Occupation: Singer-songwriter, actor, dancer ·
Known for: Lead singer of James, Heat, One Day, Batman ·
Years active: 1982–present
Quick snapshot
- Lead singer and co-founder of James (The Irish Times)
- Indie rock band formed 1982 (iNews) (The Irish Times)
- Notable albums: Gold Mother, Seven, Laid (Wikipedia) (The Irish Times)
- Left band in 2007, later rejoined (iNews) (The Irish Times)
- Diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (The Big Issue)
- Open about near-death experience (The Irish Times) (The Big Issue)
- Follows vegan lifestyle at times (The Times) (The Big Issue)
- Promotes Lifewave wellness patches (The Times) (The Big Issue)
Six key facts, one pattern: Booth’s life is defined by creative output and chronic health challenges that have shaped his choices at every stage.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Timothy Booth |
| Profession | Singer-songwriter, actor, dancer |
| Band | James (co-founder, lead singer) |
| Birth date | 4 February 1960 |
| Birthplace | Bradford, West Yorkshire, England |
| Notable film roles | Heat (1995), One Day (2011), Batman (Victor Zsasz) |
What is Tim Booth’s real name?
Where did Tim Booth grow up?
- Full name: Timothy Booth, born on 4 February 1960 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England (The Times).
- He grew up in Bradford and later moved to Manchester to study drama at Manchester University (Wikipedia).
How old is Tim Booth?
The birth-date data is consistent across every major profile.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 4 February 1960 |
| Age in 2026 | 66 (The Irish Times) |
| Zodiac | Aquarius |
The implication: Booth’s age and birthplace are confirmed by multiple independent outlets, leaving no ambiguity about his identity.
Is Tim Booth in a relationship?
Who is Tim Booth’s wife?
- Kate Shela has been identified as Booth’s wife of about 30 years (The Irish Times).
- The Times identified her as Kate and reported that the couple returned to the UK in 2021 after around a decade in California (The Times).
Does Tim Booth have kids?
- He has a teenage son with Kate and an adult son from his first marriage (iNews).
Who is Tim Booth’s first wife?
- The media have not publicly named his first wife; Kate Shela is the only spouse identified in current coverage (The Irish Times).
Booth’s family life is relatively private—only a few press interviews mention his wife and children, and the exact number of children remains unconfirmed by official records.
The catch: While the wife’s name is reported as Kate Shela, the exact number of children is not publicly verified, reflecting Booth’s guarded personal life.
How rich is Tim Booth?
Tim Booth net worth estimates
- No verified net worth figure exists. The Times reported that Booth’s earnings one year were minus $15,000 and that he claimed unemployment benefit in the US (The Times).
- His income stems from music royalties, acting fees, and his involvement with Lifewave wellness patches.
Tim Booth earnings from James and acting
Booth’s income streams split into three visible categories.
| Source | Type | Note |
|---|---|---|
| James (band) | Music royalties and touring | Irregular income, especially after hiatus |
| Acting | Film/TV roles | Minor roles in Heat, One Day, Batman |
| Wellness (Lifewave) | Supplement sales | Controversial multi-level marketing |
What this means: Booth’s net worth is opaque—he has publicly stated he had a loss year and relied on unemployment benefits, making any estimate purely speculative.
What illness does the lead singer of James have?
Tim Booth health issues
- Booth has lived with a chronic liver condition since childhood and has said the condition shaped his decision to stop drinking (The Big Issue; The Irish Times).
What liver disease did Tim Booth have?
- Booth was diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as a child (The Big Issue).
- He described being “so yellow” at school that other children called him names (The Big Issue).
- At age 21, the liver disease caused a near-death experience (The Irish Times; Yorkshire Post).
- He has since stopped drinking alcohol to manage the condition (The Irish Times).
Booth’s liver condition is a chronic, manageable disease—not a death sentence—but it has influenced his entire career, from lifestyle choices to his decision to leave Los Angeles.
The implication: Booth’s health story is one of the most documented aspects of his life, yet the exact type of liver disease (NAFLD) is often misreported as alcohol-related, which he has denied.
What religion is Tim Booth from James?
Tim Booth spiritual beliefs
- Booth has explored various spiritual practices, including meditation and yoga, but does not adhere to a single formal religion (iNews).
- He has described himself as “spiritual but not religious.”
Is Tim Booth a vegan?
- Booth has followed a vegan diet at times but is not consistently vegan (The Times).
- His diet is influenced by his liver condition—he avoids alcohol and processed foods.
The pattern: Booth’s worldview is personal and eclectic, combining elements of wellness culture with a pragmatic approach to health.
Why did Tim Booth leave James?
Tim Booth leaving James
- Booth left James in 2007 to pursue solo projects and other interests (iNews).
- He later returned for reunion tours and continues to perform with the band.
Tim Booth movies and acting career
- Booth appeared in Michael Mann’s Heat (1995) as a minor character (IMDb).
- He played a role in One Day (2011) and voiced Victor Zsasz in the Batman video game series.
- Acting has been a secondary career, never overshadowing his music.
The trade-off: Leaving James allowed Booth to explore acting and wellness ventures, but it also meant financial instability—he later acknowledged the band’s touring income was a lifeline.
Timeline signal
- 4 February 1960 – Born in Bradford, England (The Times)
- 1995 – Appeared in the film Heat (IMDb)
- 2007 – Left the band James to pursue solo projects (iNews)
- 2011 – Acted in One Day (IMDb)
- 2026 – Featured in Irish Times interview discussing near-death experience and wellness routine (The Irish Times)
The pattern: every major phase of Booth’s life maps to a documented turning point.
What’s clear and what’s not
Confirmed facts
- Real name is Timothy Booth (The Times)
- Born 4 February 1960 (The Times)
- Lead singer of James (The Irish Times)
- Acted in Heat, One Day, Batman (IMDb)
- Suffered from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (The Big Issue)
- Left James in 2007 (iNews)
What’s unclear
- Current relationship status (details unconfirmed)
- Exact net worth
- Whether he is currently vegan
- Specific religious affiliation
- Number of children
- When exactly he rejoined James after 2007
- Whether he still actively promotes Lifewave patches
The trade-off: The confirmed facts anchor his biography, while the unconfirmed details are where speculation tends to run.
Quotes from Tim Booth
“I was so yellow that other children called me names.”
— Tim Booth, speaking to The Big Issue
“Who wants to look at old people on stage?”
— Tim Booth, reflecting on aging in The Irish Times
On Lifewave, he joked that he could write his health supplement habit off for tax (The Times); speaking about the band’s internal pressures, he said he carried too much responsibility in James (The Big Issue). The pattern: Booth’s public quotes keep circling the same tension — artistic drive, health limits, and money.
Tim Booth’s story is one of survival and reinvention. For fans and curious readers alike, the choice is clear: either accept the ambiguity around his personal wealth and family details, or dig deeper into the handful of primary sources he has shared. In the end, Booth’s story turns on those threads: the music, the health battles, and the quiet family life he guarded through both.
dailymail.co.uk, oneofthethree.com, driving.co.uk, famousbirthdays.com, celebritynetworth.com, trendingcelebs.org
Frequently asked questions
What type of liver disease was Tim Booth diagnosed with?
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), diagnosed in childhood (The Big Issue).
How many children does Tim Booth have?
Yes, he has a teenage son with his wife Kate and an adult son from his first marriage (iNews).
Does Tim Booth follow a vegan diet?
He has followed a vegan diet at times but is not consistently vegan (The Times).
Where was Tim Booth educated?
Bradford, West Yorkshire, England; he later studied drama at Manchester University (The Times; Wikipedia).
What is Tim Booth’s date of birth?
4 February 1960; he turned 66 in 2026 (The Times; The Irish Times).
What movies has Tim Booth been in?
Heat (1995), One Day (2011), and voice work in Batman (IMDb).
What is known about Tim Booth’s first wife?
Not publicly named; only his current wife Kate Shela is identified in media (The Irish Times).
Harry Thompson is Senior Reporter at PublicReport, covering breaking UK news and political stories across the country.