Inbetweeners star James Buckley reveals seven figure sum he’s made from fan videos

James Buckley has revealed he’s made an eye-watering seven figure sum from sending fans personalised videos. 

The Inbetweeners star, 35, joined the Cameo app in March 2020 and last year became the first non-US celebrity to make $1 million (£930,000). 

Speaking in a new interview on Wednesday, James has explained how he has now ‘recorded forty thousand clips’ at £40 a pop, amassing £1.6million. 

Joining host Spencer Matthews on his Big Fish Podcast, the actor detailed his initial doubts over joining the platform, adding that he feared no one would want him to send them a message. 

He admitted: ‘I kept saying “this is going to be really, really embarrassing – my tiny fragile ego. I’m not the most confident person, this is going to send me to dark places.’

‘I’m going to sign up for this thing and nobody is going to want a video from me”, and it turned out everyone did!’ 

James explained that he ‘didn’t want to take the p**s out of people’ so chose to charge fans £40. 

He continued: ‘I have done tens of thousands. Tens and tens of thousands, maybe thirty, forty thousand, something like that.

‘It was a godsend financially. But I never wanted to take the piss. I’m in the business of making people happy. I don’t want to rip people off.’

Last year, James became the first UK celebrity to become a Cameo millionaire. 

According to the platform’s founder Martin Blencowe, James ‘takes it very seriously’ and is ‘ready to do the work’ after it was reported he replied to 37 video requests per day in 2021.

Addressing the claims, Martin confirmed that James had gained financial freedom via his ‘accessible price’ on Cameo and is able to explore other career avenues. 

He said: ‘James was incredibly popular from the start, but he’s stayed committed to his fans, always keeping an accessible price (even during his busiest periods) and giving his all to make each Cameo special.

Requests: The Inbetweeners star joined Cameo in March 2020 and last year became the first non-US celebrity to make $1 million (£930,000) (pictured in The Inbetweeners Movie 2011)

Amazing: Speaking in a new interview on Wednesday, James has explained how he has now ‘recorded forty thousand clips’ at £40 a pop, amassing £1.6million (pictured in June)

‘In return, he’s gained the financial freedom and overwhelming fan support to pursue the projects he’s most passionate about like 2:22 – A Ghost Story, the West End play and his family’s YouTube channel, At Home With The Buckleys.’

James also documents his family life with his wife Scottish Mussel star Clair Meek, 33 who he shares sons Harrison, 10, and nine-year-old Jude. 

Worldwide, Cameo’s biggest stars include The Office US actor Brian Baumgartner, Grease star Didi Conn and actor Michael Rapaport.

Since it launched five years ago, Cameo has connected fans to their heroes by allowing them to purchase messages directly from the celebrities themselves for birthdays, anniversaries or other special occasions.