James Peaty, the brother of Olympic champion swimmer Adam Peaty, has been seen in public for the first time since his arrest over allegations he sent threatening messages to his sibling.
Airport Arrest and Stag Do Drama
The family conflict came to a head earlier this week when Adam Peaty, 30, was met by police upon his arrival at Manchester Airport following his stag weekend in Budapest. The Olympian, who is set to marry Holly Ramsay, daughter of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, in a matter of weeks, reportedly became alarmed after receiving text messages, prompting his fiancée to alert the authorities.
In response to the incident, James Peaty, 34, was arrested at his home in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, on Monday, November 11, 2025. A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police confirmed: "We arrested a 34-year-old man, from the Uttoxeter area, on November 11, 2025, on suspicion of harassment. The man was released on conditional bail while our enquiries continue."
A Brother Spotted Amidst the Turmoil
James was subsequently spotted in Newcastle, sporting a grey cap, black jacket, and grey top as he took a smoke break in the rain. Despite the serious nature of the allegations and the ongoing family drama, James was seen smiling before getting into his blue Honda and driving away.
This arrest is the latest episode in a heated family feud that has been brewing publicly. Claims have emerged that Adam has distanced himself from his working-class family in favour of his famous in-laws, with sources suggesting his own relatives do not fit the desired celebrity image.
A History of Fraternal Conflict
The brothers have a history of public disagreements. They first fell out in 2021 following the release of Adam's autobiography, in which he addressed his siblings' "demons," including previous drug usage. Although they reportedly reconciled, with James even being asked to be a groomsman at the upcoming wedding, their relationship deteriorated again in June of this year while James was working on a building project for Adam.
A source indicated that James was "upset" about the portrayal in Adam's book, which he felt cast him as a "bum." Since Adam's engagement, their relationship is said to have hit an all-time low.
The family rift appears to be deep, with Adam's father, Mark, speaking out for the first time. He told The Sun: "They're brothers, they've always been close, but like any normal family, brothers fight, argue, fall out, make up and start all over again. But it's got out of hand, there's been very little empathy towards Jamie's genuine mental health difficulties."
Further complicating matters, a source claims that Adam believes his mother, Caroline, has been enabling James's alleged behaviour. Caroline, who dedicated years to supporting Adam's swimming career, is said to be heartbroken by the fallout. She was noticeably absent from Holly Ramsay's hen do, which was attended by Holly's mother, Tana, and sister-in-law, Victoria Ramsay.
The discord has extended to other family members. Caroline's sister, Louise, has publicly criticised Adam and Holly, accusing them of body-shaming Caroline after she was allegedly asked to wear a different dress for the wedding and was subsequently uninvited. Louise fumed: "How can Adam and Holly sit there and say Caroline wasn't invited because of the way my sister looks?"
A source added to the Daily Mail: "You only have to look at the picture to see that there is a certain 'type'. They all look the same, and you wonder if Caroline might have stuck out a bit. She's a normal woman, not a celebrity."
As the wedding approaches, it is understood that Adam's sister will be his only relative in attendance. Both Adam and Holly have yet to comment on the ongoing family feud.
