Veteran Maltese broadcaster Norman Hamilton has died at the age of 85, bringing to a close a career that made him one of the most recognisable figures in Malta’s broadcasting history.
His death on Tuesday, 11 August, was confirmed by his family and reported by TVMnews. Other Maltese newsrooms have also confirmed his passing.
Hamilton’s career in radio and television stretched across more than six decades, taking him from the early days of Maltese broadcasting to some of the country’s best-remembered television programmes.
A Broadcasting Career That Began In 1961
Hamilton began his broadcasting career in 1961 with the British Forces Broadcasting Service, becoming its first Maltese radio presenter.
After spending time in London, where he presented Għal Malta minn Londra, he returned to Malta and joined Rediffusion in 1967. He later moved to Radju Malta and went on to hold senior positions in Maltese broadcasting. His career included serving as Head of Programmes at Xandir Malti.
For many Maltese viewers, however, Hamilton will be remembered most clearly for the programmes he brought into their homes.
He presented Sibtijiet Sajfin and Sibtijiet Xitwin, before moving into television with Sibtijiet Flimkien. The programme became Malta’s first live television marathon, running for seven hours and featuring Hamilton alongside his wife, presenter Josette Grech Hamilton.
He later became closely associated with Bla Aġenda, the television talk show he presented for 20 years.
Beyond Radio And Television
Hamilton’s contribution to Maltese public life extended beyond broadcasting.
He was involved in Malta’s music festival scene for decades, including the Malta Song Festival, and later served as Malta’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. He was also Malta’s Ambassador to Ireland and served as Chairman of Festivals Malta.
In 2021, Hamilton was appointed a Member of the National Order of Merit, with his official citation recognising a broadcasting career stretching back almost 60 years and his contribution across television, radio, festivals, tourism and diplomacy.
“Let The Show Begin”
In a tribute following his death, Hamilton’s daughter Davinia shared that her father’s final words were: “Let the show begin.”
It is a fitting final line for a man whose voice and television presence accompanied generations of Maltese audiences.
Norman Hamilton was 85.
