A passionate adventure motorcyclist he is known to his cohort as “Afterburner” Darren James's radio career began in October 1979, when he started as an 'office boy' at 3AW.
In that year he moved to a role as an audio engineer for 'Breakfast' and 'The Derryn Hinch Program', and in 1986 commenced on-air as co-host of the 3AW Breakfast Show with Uncle Roy (aka Bruce Mansfield), until 1990.
[4] James was a regular contributor to the radio comedy team 'The Coodabeen Champions' when they were on 3AW from the late 1970s to the 1990s.
[5] During his long career James has been part of broadcasts from many parts of the world including London, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Ethiopia, Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Sudan, India and Alice Springs, while co-hosting 'Breakfast' with Bruce Mansfield and as the audio engineer for fellow broadcaster Derryn Hinch.
[6] James is also an MC and hosts corporate and public events[7] including gatherings of the AFL Collingwood Football Club coterie group, 'The Woodsmen'.