08 May 2025 , 06:18
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A man allegedly killed on a luxury cruise just hours into a stag do has been remembered as a ‘legend’.
James Messham, 60, died on the MSC Virtuosa at around 8.30pm on Saturday after an ‘altercation’.
He was travelling with relatives and is understood to have run the motorbike show The Wall of Death.
The ship was in British waters after leaving Southampton bound for Bruges, Belgium, when a fight broke out.
A 57-year-old man from Exeter has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
On Wednesday, Hampshire Constabulary said he had been bailed as the investigation continues.
It is understood three family members of the dead man, two women and a man met the vessel on the quayside to try and gain entry on the ship.
Joby Carter said he was a ‘proper gent’ who was part of Carter’s Steam Fair until around eight years ago.
He told The Sun: ‘I was absolutely gutted when I heard the news. He was a legend.
‘We used to travel Carter’s Steam Fair. He approached us because he had a wall of death and wanted to travel with us.
‘We always got along with him. He was a proper gent, salt of the earth.
‘You knew if you had a problem he would come and help you any time day or night.’
Posts on social media describe James as an ‘icon’ and a ‘big strong man who will be missed’.
Other family members have posted pictures of him in tribute.
Harry Clark, the winner of the BBC show Traitors last year, was also on board the luxury cruise.
There is no suggestion Harry was involved in the violence.
Lynda Hardiman-Pearce, who runs catering business the Spud Shack, described meeting the celebrity before witnessing the violence.
She told Metro: ‘It was carnage on the ship there were a lot of people drinking a lot. I thought I was a party animal until I saw this lot.
‘People were jolly but it was a bit like a modern Wild West with stag and hen dos everywhere.’
Deputy Editor