Veteran broadcaster Norman Hamilton dies aged 85

Veteran broadcaster Norman Hamilton has died at the age of 85, his family announced.

Hamilton, who died on Tuesday, was one of Malta’s most recognizable radio and television personalities and was among the broadcasters who helped introduce daytime television to Malta.

His daughter, Davinia Hamilton, paid tribute to her father in a social media post, revealing that his final words were: “Let the show begin.”

Born on 28 April 1941, Hamilton began his broadcasting career in 1961 as a DJ with the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS), becoming the first Maltese presenter on the station.

He had initially been rejected by Rediffusion, with its head, Commander Edward Hamilton-Hill, reportedly telling him that “there cannot be two Hamiltons in the house”.

Three years later, Hamilton moved to  England, where he was approached by Malta House to present a weekly radio programme from London. ‘To Malta from London’ was broadcast live to Malta through Rediffusion.

Hamilton later became Head of Programmes at Maltese Broadcasting between 1981 and 1988. During this period, he presented ‘Sibtijiet Sajfin’ and ‘Sibtijiet Xitwin’, programmes which eventually moved to television under the name ‘Sibtijiet Flimkien’.

The programme became the first live television marathon to be broadcast in Malta, running for seven hours and featuring Hamilton alongside his wife, presenter Josette Grech.

Hamilton later joined Super One TV, where he presented the popular chat show ‘Bla Agenda’, which remained on air for 20 years.

His career also extended beyond broadcasting. He was appointed chairman of the Malta Song Festival in 1986 and later became involved in the Malta International TV Song Festival. He was also involved in music festivals for around five decades, both in Malta and internationally.

Hamilton entered the tourism industry in 1992 when he established his own travel agency, Hamilton Travel.

His public service career later saw him appointed Malta’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom in 2013, a position he held in London until 2018. Between 2015 and 2017, he also served as Malta’s ambassador to Ireland.

Hamilton was married to broadcaster Josette Grech, with whom he had two daughters, Davinia and Yasmin, as well as a grandchild.

Prime Minister Robert Abela paid tribute to Hamilton following his death, describing him as a person who throughout his life made an important contribution to Malta in different fields.

“Norman will be particularly remembered for his long career in broadcasting, where for many years he was a familiar face and voice in Maltese and Gozitan homes, but also for his work in the tourism sector and in Malta’s diplomatic service,” Abela said.

“At this moment of grief, my thoughts are with his family and with all those who knew him and worked with him.”

Abela concluded his tribute by saying: “Rest in peace, Norman.”

Hamilton leaves behind a legacy spanning radio, television, music, tourism and diplomacy, having remained a familiar figure in Maltese public life for more than 60 years.

The Labour Party also paid tribute to the memory of Norman Hamilton. 

“Today, our country lost a broadcasting pioneer with a career spanning over 60 years on both radio and television, as well as a successful entrepreneur and diplomat who worked tirelessly in the interest of our country,” the party said.

It said that for many years, Hamilton was a voice synonymous with Radju Malta and the face of Saturday afternoons with the programme Sibtijiet Flimkien (Saturdays Together), which he presented alongside his wife Josette. 

Over the years, he held various roles with the national station, performing them in the most professional and exemplary manner.

“Hamilton was also one of the main presenters of the television station ONE,presenting the programme Bla Aġenda (Without an Agenda) for around 20
years. He will be remembered for his inimitable presentation style and the way
he interviewed his guests,” it said.

The PL said that his contribution to the Labour Party’s station went beyond his own productions, as he helped by every possible means to ensure that the party’s media continued to deliver its message in the best way possible.

Hamilton was also active in the music scene for more than 50 years in local and international festivals, including editions of the Malta Song for Europe and the
Eurovision Song Contests. 

He was also the Chairman of Festivals Malta and Vice Chairman of Mużika Mużika.
In addition to a long career in broadcasting, Hamilton also established himself in business by opening a travel agency, and for a number of years, he was part of the Diplomatic Corps following his appointment as the Maltese High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

The Labour Party extended its condolences to his wife Josette and his daughters Davinia and Yasmin.

RSS Feed Source: Independent Malta Veteran broadcaster Norman Hamilton dies aged 85