James Mates

James Mates has spent 27 years as a reporter with ITV, and is currently Senior Correspondent and Newscaster with ITV News. James was formerly correspondent in Tokyo, Moscow and Washington. He is married with three non-bridge playing children.

1. What do you do?
Television reporter and newsreader.

2. How did you start playing bridge?
Around the kitchen table with my girlfriend (now wife) and her friends. My best achievement in bridge was qualifying for the national finals of the North American Pairs in Vancouver, 1999.

3. What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you at the bridge table?
Sitting down to find my former headmaster sitting on my left. Funny now, terrifying at the time.

4. Where do you play bridge?
Mostly at the Andrew Robson Bridge Club in West London, less often at the Young Chelsea in Earls Court, and often at home or with friends.
Increasingly with American friends online through Bridge Base Online

5. How often do you play?
A couple of times a week, on average, though when busy that can be not at all and in quiet times almost every day

6. What are your favourite films?
The Godfather (1 & 2), Apocalypse Now, Anchorman

7. What are you reading?
Freedom for Sale, by John Kampfner; I Married a Communist, Philip Roth; Frank Stewart's World of Bridge.

8. What are your other hobbies/interests?
Mountain Biking, Playing Tennis