Tribute paid to ‘family man’ who died on MSC Virtuosa cruise ship

The family of a man whose death on a cruise ship sparked a police investigation have said he had “a heart of gold”.

James Messham, from Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex, was reported dead about two-and-a-half hours after MSC Virtuosa departed Southampton on 3 May.

In a tribute to the 60-year-old his family said they are “heartbroken” and struggling with “unanswered” questions.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary arrested a 56-year-old man from Richmond, London, on Sunday on suspicion of manslaughter.

He was the second man to be arrested in relation to the death, after a 57-year-old man from Exeter, Devon, who was arrested on suspicion of murder on 5 May was released on bail.

The vessel left Southampton at 18:00 BST for a two-night voyage to Bruges, Belgium, returning at 06:00 on Monday 5 May.

The police have said they wanted to hear from anyone who was aboard the ship.

The family of Mr Messham have issued a statement for their loved one.

They said: “James was a loving father to 8 children the youngest being only 10 years old. The unbreakable bond between us will never be forgotten. He was a family man.

“He was there for us all daily. He also had 10 grandchildren that he doted on. He will be very dearly missed by so many people. He had a heart of gold and would do anything to help anyone.

“Our lives will never be the same without him. His wife and all us children and grandchildren are heartbroken. All of us are struggling with so many unanswered questions in relation to what happened that night aboard MSC Virtousa.”

His eldest daughter Charmaine Messham described her father as a “businessman” who turned his hand to many trades to provide for his family, most notable was his work as a wall of death showman for a fairground.

“He was born a showman from the fairground. He travelled with a wall of death show all over the world. The show has been in the Messham family for 5 generations.”

The wall of death is a carnival sideshow featuring a wooden cylinder, which typically sees motorcyclists travel along the vertical wall and perform stunts.

Ms Messham said her father had a “cheeky” sense of humour and that he “taught all of his children everything we know”.

“He was a fantastic role model,” she said.