English singer-songwriter James Bay first broke through with his 2015 hit album Chaos and The Calm.
The 33-year-old’s gone on to release another three albums, becoming almost as well-known for his trademark long dark locks and cool, folky fashion style as the accolades that follow him.
But what do we know of his personal life?
Well, the answer to that is pretty simple. James Bay has been with his wife, Lucy Smith, since they were 16 year-old love-struck teenagers!
Here’s what we know about their relationship.
Who is James Bay?
James Bay is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to fame in 2014 with the song ‘Hold Back The River‘ and the 2015 album Chaos and The Calm.
The Grammy-nominated musician grew up in Hertfordshire and learned to play guitar at 11 after hearing the Eric Clapton song ‘Layla.’
He then moved to Brighton where he started performing at open mic nights. After a fan uploaded a London performance to YouTube, Republic Records got in touch and signed him up in 2013.
Within a year he was selling out his own headline shows.
Since then he has won a Brit Award for Best British Male Solo Artist, performed at Glastonbury, and released another three albums: Electric Light (2018), Leap (2022) and Changes All The Time (2024).
Is James Bay married?
Yes! James Bay has been in a relationship with music promoter Lucy Smith since he was 16 years old.
The couple married in a private ceremony in August 2022.
”Lucy and I have been together since we were kids growing up in the same home town,” Bay told People in 2022.
”She has been such a huge part of my journey. We’ve known each other since before I even started to perform as a solo artist.”
Bay said in the early stages of his rise to fame he wanted to keep their relationship private – but then things changed.
”For the last 10 years, keeping our private life private has always been very important to us,” he said.
”But it also got to a point where I didn’t want to carry on acting as if Lucy doesn’t exist.”
His 2022 song ‘One Life’ is about Lucy – the first time he had written lyrics directly referencing her.
”This song is a celebration of our journey so far and (it) felt like the perfect way to express that.”
When did James Bay get married?
The pair married in August 2022, with Bay announcing the happy news on Instagram.
Sharing snaps of the big day, he wrote: ”Mr and Mrs Bay, August 2022” alongside a red heart emoji.
What has James Bay said about his wife Lucy Smith?
Bay told People that his wife was one of his ”greatest judges and best critics”.
”I really need that from her and wouldn’t want it any other way,” he said.
”It wouldn’t work if she just told me she loved everything I write. I really feel like I’ve got something if I write something that she wants to listen to on repeat. ‘One Life‘ was one of those songs and I’m really proud to say so!”
Does James Bay have children?
James Bay and Lucy Smith have a daughter, Ada Violet Bay, who was born in October 2021.
Taking to Instagram to announce the news, Bay shared a sweet photo of himself cradling his daughter.
”Family,” he wrote, adding a heart emoji.
”After all these years together as two, we’re so excited to be three! We are so in love and filled with gratitude and joy for this little miracle in our lives. Thank you for all your well wishes.”
