Mr James, from Tunstall, has found cycling an effective way to avoid drinking since going cold turkey in 2023.
Before that, he would spend entire days consuming alcohol and smoking cigarettes in a darkened room, whilst on a waiting list for NHS support with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
He was diagnosed with the condition after becoming homeless at 16, and took up the guitar at 19 as a coping mechanism after his first nervous breakdown.
“It’s like the stars had aligned or something,” he said, referring to the chance meeting with The Jam’s lead singer.
“One of the first songs I learnt to play was Country by Paul Weller. So I was standing there telling Paul Weller – he looked a bit bemused!”