Mail reporter Katy Forrester talks to the parents of James Nesbitt about his relationship with singer Florence Welch.

HE’S been dating a famous pop star for eight months but he’s only just getting used to being in the spotlight.

Former Hull Grammar School pupil James Nesbitt, 29, has been dating Florence Welch, lead singer of Florence And The Machine, since last May.

The couple have keep their relationship secret, travelling in separate cars to events and using different entrances.

But all was revealed this week when they were photographed by paparazzi on holiday in Rio, leading the tabloids to call James a “posh boy from Hull.”

Speaking exclusively to the Mail, his mum, Anne, and dad, Derek, who live in a small village near Hull, said their son is a sensitive lad who has climbed the career ladder to organise showbusiness events in London.

He was previously signed to a model agency, was good friends with the late Amy Winehouse and his list of past girlfriends reads like a who’s who of the showbiz world, having dated the likes of Radio 1 DJ Fearne Cotton and singer Paloma Faith.

Anne, 66, known to friends as Peggy, thinks her son is a bit of catch because of his Johnny Depp looks and warm personality.

“He has had a lot of girlfriends, but he always treats them well,” she said.

“He’s had a lot of non-celebrity girlfriends as well, but by the nature of his business, it’s a natural progression that he mixes with and dates those in the spotlight.

“As long as he is happy, we have no preference to the status of who he goes out with.”

James, 29, was a pupil at Hessle Mount Preparatory School and Hull Grammar School, both independent, which his mum said is why the tabloids nicknamed him “posh boy”.

When he attended Hull Grammar, he was taught by Anne, who was head of technology. He then sat his A-levels at South Hunsley Sixth Form in nearby Melton.

“He was a very good sportsman at school, he was a great rugby player and also played ice hockey,” Anne said.

“He has always been into music as well and likes to listen to Nirvana. He also plays a bit of guitar.

“James is very close to his family, especially his sister Sally and her children. He also loves animals and we often call him Doctor Dolittle.”

James studied a business degree at Leeds Metropolitan University, before transferring to London Metropolitan University.

He then began his career in events and later formed his own company, The Velvet Project, organising charity balls and celebrity bashes for the likes of Elton John.

Retired skipper Derek, 72, said: “He’s friends with a lot of big stars like Matt Smith from Doctor Who and the band Tribes.”

His mum said James even sometimes cheekily plays on his famous name on the phone and puts on an Irish accent to get good tables at restaurants.

Staff believe he is the Cold Feet actor until he turns up. But his parents said he will no longer have that problem dating Florence.

While mixing in celebrity circles, James has found it easy to attract famous girlfriends.

Anne said before he started going out with the You’ve Got The Love star, he had two six month relationships with both Fearne and Paloma.

Anne said: “Both relationships didn’t work out because they simply drifted apart.

“I would often ask him if he’d live with his girlfriend for the rest of his life and he’d always say ‘no’, but he hasn’t said that about Florence.”

The parents are yet to meet the quirky star, but say the relationship is going well after the pair met on a photo-shoot.

“James was working on her shoot and offered to pass something up to her while she was sitting in a tree. It was quite high up but he’s a fit lad,” Anne said.

“They got chatting up the tree and things went from there.

“When she came back from Australia, she even bought him a book called Tree Houses In Great Britain.”

Anne said since the couple have been together, James has been invited to two weddings, including his sister’s, although he has been reluctant to take Florence, 25, as his guest, for fear of her stealing the bride’s thunder.

“He didn’t want a big fuss, he’s quite sensitive and he hasn’t brought her to meet us yet because he’s scared people will find out,” Anne said.

“She rang our land line a few times while James was here over Christmas and I spoke to her.

“She then took him to Suffolk to stay with her uncle, the journalist Craig Brown.

“They went to Rio on January 15. She always wants him with her, but sadly he’s often got work commitments. It must be quite lonely for her sometimes.

“He said she’s always on the phone when she’s on tour and they are joined at the hip when they’re together.

“James likes to stay in the background and really supports her career.”

Although the couple say they are more fans of Classic FM than pop music, Anne said she has grown to like Florence’s songs.

“I’ve listened to her music. It took me a while to get into it because I don’t really like modern music,” Anne said.

“But I’ve heard Shake It Out a few times now and I quite like it. I appreciate she has a very strong voice.

“We’re happy for them both. I’m sure she’ll be coming up to see us soon, we speak to her on Skype on the webcam and she seems like a lovely girl.”