James "Jambo" Bolton is a fictional character from the British television soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Will Mellor.

Jambo was one of the original characters created by Phil Redmond, and he was introduced in the show's first episode, which aired on 23 October 1995.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo's Peter Grant, Mellor said that when he went home to tell his family the news, they had all gone out and he had to celebrate alone.

[7] In scenes set during New Year Eve 1995, Jambo tries to change his luck by donning a homemade "lucky snogging helmet" in order to find someone to kiss.

"[9] His final scenes aired on 6 August 1998, as Jambo leaves behind his friends in Chester to move to Anglesey for work.

The show's executive producer Jo Hallows told Wendy Granditer from Inside Soap that Dawn and Jambo's relationship was filled with "lovely stuff".

[11] In a take on A Christmas Carol, Jambo returns to take the Scrooge-like Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard) on a tour of his friends and family.

[11] Mellor continued: "Jambo knows Tony is a good person deep down, and wants to show him that his actions have a lasting effect on others.

[11] Jambo was an individualist, putting his unique stamp on anything that came his way, from his formula for salty vinegar and his devotion to Margaret the cow.

Jambo was good friends with Kurt Benson and Tony Hutchinson and, whilst they were often confused by his odd behaviour, the three formed a strong bond, providing one another with support and, very often, humour needed to get through their rather tumultuous lives.

She eventually lost her battle against the disease, leaving Jambo devastated over the loss of his girl he wanted more than anything else in the world.

However, Jambo certainly left the female population of Hollyoaks with a memory they would cherish, when he was the unwilling stripper at Jude's opening night at the Parkers.

[13] Elizabeth Joyce of the Shropshire Star said that Jambo was a "decent" and "genuinely memorable character" who still holds "a place in the heart of many a late-twentysomething".

[15] He wrote: "Tony would be proper chuffed if James 'Jambo' Bolton (Hollyoaks loved their comedy nicknames, didn't they?)

[16] Francesca Babb from All About Soap opined that "cheeky chappy Jambo was one of our favourite Hollyoaks boys until a short-lived singing career whisked the actor away from Soapland.