

A backing vocalist and songwriting collaborator suggested he contact 's manager, Todd Interland, with whom she used to share a house. While still in the army Blunt would write songs during his time off. One of his sources was, a and, and chair of the panel of judges since 1992, who later undertook a lecture tour entitled 'The unpopular and unpleasant thoughts inspired by the work of James Blunt'. His dissertation at was entitled The Commodification of Image – Production of a Pop Idol. Music career Early career Blunt had piano and violin lessons as a child, but was introduced to the electric guitar aged 14 at Harrow by a fellow student.

He left the army on 1 October 2002 having served six years. He stood guard at the coffin of the during her and was part of the funeral procession on 9 April 2002.A keen skier, Blunt captained the Household Cavalry alpine ski team in, Switzerland, becoming giant slalom champion in 2000. During this posting, he was featured on the television programme 'Girls on Top', a series highlighting unusual career choices.

It was while on duty there that he wrote the song '.Blunt extended his military service in November 2000, and was posted to the in London, as the.
