Emily Canham is a well-known British YouTuber and influencer who has transformed her early struggles into a flourishing career in the digital spotlight.
From being a bullied schoolgirl to becoming one of the UK’s top beauty and lifestyle content creators, her journey is both inspiring and relatable to many of her followers.
With over 1 million YouTube subscribers and nearly three-quarters of a million Instagram followers, Emily is no stranger to fame.
Over the years, she’s partnered with some of the biggest names in fashion and tech—L’Oréal, Samsung, Amazon, and Sainsbury’s, to name a few—and she’s built a reputation for being both stylish and down-to-earth.
Who is Emily Canham Dating?
Emily is currently in a loving relationship with James Bourne, the guitarist and vocalist from the iconic UK pop-rock band Busted.
The couple has been together for over three years, but their journey started as a friendship—a thoughtful and deliberate decision, especially considering their 14-year age gap.
Emily was introduced to James through her brother, and though sparks were evident, they took things slow.
Emily has been candid about her early reservations due to their age difference and wanted clarity on his intentions before diving into anything romantic.
“There is a large age gap between us. I wanted to know his intentions before absolutely anything, so it was a friendship for quite a while before anything turned into anything.”
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Now, their bond seems stronger than ever. They’ve been spotted at events together and often share cute glimpses of their life on social media, showing off their comfortable, lighthearted dynamic.
Her Thoughts on James’ Music Career
What’s interesting is that Emily wasn’t a huge Busted fan growing up. In fact, she admitted that their music wasn’t really her style when they were at the height of their popularity. It wasn’t until McFly toured with Busted that Emily truly discovered and started appreciating the band’s music.
“It wasn’t like I had been a fan of him since I was young.”
Since then, she’s become one of James’ biggest supporters, frequently attending his concerts and cheering him on from the sidelines. Their public appearances showcase a mature, loving relationship built on mutual respect.
Living Apart But Staying Close
Despite being in a long-term relationship, the couple isn’t rushing into moving in together. Emily and James both value their independence and have homes in different countries—Emily in London, and James in Los Angeles.
Their arrangement reflects their laid-back approach to love: when they’re in the same city, they stay together, but they’re in no hurry to merge their living spaces permanently.
“There is no need to get one place together, when we both have a place each that if we are in that country, we can be at that place.”
The Breakup That Made Headlines: Jake Boys
Before James, Emily was in a high-profile relationship with fellow YouTuber Jake Boys. Their romance lasted about three years and became a fan favorite online—fans affectionately dubbed them “Jemily.”
They collaborated on numerous vlogs and social media content, making their relationship part of their personal brands.
However, things ended abruptly in February 2017 amid rumors of infidelity. Emily discovered Jake was reportedly “talking to lots of other women,” which led to a very public breakup. The fallout was difficult, especially since their online presence was so intertwined.
But time has healed wounds, and the pair have since reconciled on a friendly level. In 2019, they even reunited to create a closure video titled “The Break Up Video We Never Made,” where they reflected maturely on what went wrong and how they’ve grown.
Influencer Controversy: ASA Ruling on TikTok Post
As Emily’s career continued to rise, she also encountered her fair share of controversy. In 2020, she became the first person reprimanded by the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for failing to clearly mark a TikTok post as an ad.
The post promoted GHD hair products, but Emily didn’t include the appropriate #ad or similar disclaimer, which led to the ASA ruling against her. The incident made headlines and set a precedent in influencer marketing regulation.
“This may be our first ruling on a TikTok post, but brands, advertisers, and influencers should be fully aware that the ad rules apply to them across online and social media.”
While it was a bump in the road, Emily handled it professionally and used it as a learning experience, continuing to grow her influence responsibly.
Career Milestones
Emily Canham has become one of the UK’s most respected beauty influencers, balancing brand deals, personal projects, and media appearances. A few highlights include:
- L’Oréal UK Makeup Ambassador
- Long-term collaborations with Amazon and Samsung
- Frequently featured in outlets like Cosmopolitan, The Sun, and Daily Mail
- Known for candid, relatable lifestyle vlogs and beauty tutorials
Emily Canham’s journey has been anything but ordinary—from heartbreaks and controversies to finding real love and professional success, she’s navigated it all with grace and authenticity.
As her fanbase continues to grow, so does her reputation as a relatable, empowered voice in the digital space.
