Cruise Ship Altercation Leaves Man Dead, Investigation Underway

James Messham, a 60-year-old former stuntman and operator of the longstanding Messham's Wall of Death motorcycle show, died following an altercation on the MSC Virtuosa cruise ship while on a stag party. The incident occurred shortly after the ship departed Southampton and was still in British waters. A 57-year-old man from Exeter was arrested on suspicion of murder but later released on bail as investigations continue. The cruise was notable for including Harry Clark, winner of the BBC show Traitors, who was reported to be uninvolved but expressed shock and sympathy for the victim's family. Witnesses described the atmosphere on the ship as chaotic, with numerous stag and hen parties contributing to a 'modern Wild West' environment. Friends and colleagues remembered Messham as a kind, helpful, and well-respected figure within the fairground and stunt community.