Former Strictly competitor JJ
Chalmers has provided a rare insight into his close friendship with Prince
Harry.
Speaking to Radio Times,
the former Royal Marine revealed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s son, Archie
Harrison, is a huge fan of the hit children’s television series, The
Octonauts.
JJ went on to explain how his
own son, James, also has a soft spot for the popular animated show.
Having met through the
military, the doting dads have established a close friendship and confess to
regular ‘dad chats’ every now and then. Speaking of their bond, JJ
said: “In some ways, we’ve grown up together. When we first met, we
were both young lads in the military.
“It’s been pretty lovely
to move into the next stage of our life – marriage, kids – together.”
Opening up about their candid
conversations, JJ added: “Now that we both have kids, we just do dad chat.
“I know that Archie
loves The Octonauts and my son James loves it, too. The kids are a
similar age and have similar interests.”
Loved by many youngsters up
and down the country, the children’s TV show is based on books written by Vicki
Wong and Michael C Murphy. The programme charts an adorable team of underwater
explorers as they embark on a series of aquatic adventures.
JJ has previously credited
Prince Harry as “one of the key people who created one of the key
catalysts in my recovery.” In 2011 while serving as a Royal Marine in
Afghanistan, the TV presenter was seriously injured in a bomb blast and said he
is “forever grateful” to Harry.
During his rehabilitation, JJ
took part in Prince Harry’s hugely successful Invictus Games. Proving he’s a
force to be reckoned with, JJ claimed a gold and bronze medal in the recumbent
road cycling and moreover took home a bronze in the 4x100m mixed relay.
Whilst the former Strictly competitor
revealed that his children, Hayley and James, had not yet had the chance to
enjoy a playdate with Archie and his younger sister Lilibet, he did add: “I’m
sure they’ll get together one day soon.”
