James Montgomery who has died at his home in Hampshire was a well known face on southern television in the 1970s and 80s.

With his charisma and creativity James made a successful career in broadcasting in both television and radio.

Starting in children’s television in Sydney Australia, he found his niche as a news presenter and journalist in Hobart.

After moving back to the UK he began his long association with Southern Television. An accomplished writer, director and later producer, between 1970 and 1989 he was a reporter and presenter for Southern Television and then Television South on programmes such as ‘Day by Day’ and the award-winning ‘Coast to Coast’ as well as many documentaries.

Once his musical talents had been spotted, he presented the popular series ‘Music in Camera’ and forged a close relationship with the Bournemouth Orchestras working with the leading artists of the day to record and present opera and concerts on Television.

Much to his amusement he also became the yachting correspondent covering various national and international sailing events.

James was one of the founders and directors of Ocean Sound; radio for the Solent region. Between 1994 and 2008 he wrote and produced several one hour documentaries as well as five series of six half hours for BBC Radio 2. Programmes included ‘The Danny Kaye Story’, ‘All Sail in Her (the story of the Queen Mary), ‘Howard Keel’s Playhouse’, ‘Dorothy Fields – First Woman of Broadway’ and the award-winning ‘Sammy Davis Jnr Story’.

The youngest of three children, James was born on 16th September 1945 in Wimbledon, London, to Feodora (the actress Jane Baxter) and Brigadier Arthur Montgomery. His school years were spent at Marlborough House in Kent where his early musical ability was recognised and nurtured. He went onto Wellington College in Berkshire where he excelled at music and developed his love of sound recording and opera. He was much in demand as a pianist in a band playing for society and debutant balls.

James went onto become an Academical Clerk under Bernard Rose at Magdalen College, Oxford. James was a member of The Madrigal Society in London since a young man until his death in 2019 and was president from 2005 to 2007. He supported young musicians at Wellington College and thoroughly enjoyed the annual Montgomery prize competitions, delighted and often astounded at the standards achieved by the students, he gave them much encouragement and advice.

After retiring James moved to Stockbridge, Hampshire and enjoyed a quieter life. He was a well known figure in Stockbridge Amateur Dramatic Society and joined several choirs in Winchester. He continued to write and lecture on a variety of subjects and his reviews of Stockbridge music concerts were much enjoyed.

James was a very special man, kind, gentle, and charming, with a lovely smile and a twinkle in his eye. His quiet sense of humour and knowledge on many subjects made him excellent company. A wonderful husband, father, brother and cousin James will be forever loved and missed.

James married three times, first to Carolyn Finlayson, second to Julia Harrison (the actress Fiona Richmond) and third to Emma-Elizabeth Welman. He had a daughter, Tara with his second wife.

James Montgomery, 16th September 1945 – 16th November 2019