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Journalist who covered showbiz for London titles dies aged 88

A former regional press show business journalist who interviewed countless celebrities during his career has died.

James Green, who was a life member of the National Union of Journalists, started out in journalism at the Hulton Press during the Second World War, where he worked for the Picture Post.

He then moved on to the Kentish Independent in South East London as a reporter, before his career took him to the London Star and later to the Evening News in London.

James, who was born in 1926, died last week following a short illness.

An obituary on the NUJ’s website said that James served in the Royal Navy during his time at the Kentish Independent then the paper left to join the London Star, where his first job was covering the funeral of actor and composer Ivor Novello.

He convinced his editor that television was the future and began writing a daily TV column, while also working as a critic and feature writer.

When the Star was about to fold in 1960, he was head-hunted by the rival Evening News to write a daily TV column and later became show business editor.

In the role, James attended West End first nights for many years and the BBC invited him to review live on air immediately after the curtain fell on the shows.

His career saw him interview most of the British and America stars of the 60, 70s and 80s, including Elvis Presley, Judy Garland, Laurence Olivier and Jane Fonda.

When the Evening News closed in October 1980, James was invited to become head of press for First Leisure Company, with responsibility for promoting London cabaret room, Talk of the Town, which starred names including Shirley Bassey and Tom Jones.

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