James Hooton

James Hooton (born 13 July 1973) is an English actor best known for his role as Sam Dingle on the ITV soap opera Emmerdale, which he has portrayed since 1995. Hooton was born and raised in Carlton, Nottinghamshire and attended Frank Wheldon Comprehensive School. He made his television debut at the age of 12 in the children's TV series Your Mother Wouldn't Like It. Besides Emmerdale, he has appeared in various other TV shows, including Peak Practice, The Bill, Heartbeat, and Touching Evil. Hooton also had a role in director Shane Meadows' film Twenty Four Seven. He is engaged to dance company owner Nancy Lucas and they have two children together.