The actor made history TV’s first gay kiss alongside acting legend Ian McKellen in Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II, amid a successful career spanning 50 years.
James appeared in Coronation Street in May 1968 as Reverend Peter Hope, after moving to the UK from New Zealand in the mid 1960s.
His varied career saw him star in countless TV shows, films and theatre productions, taking on numerous different roles.
He made his film debut in 1969, when he played a small part in Ken Russell’s Women In Love.
Some of his most notable performances include his role as Detective Inspector Bonaparte in TV series Boney, and Mr Cope in hit Hollywood movie One Day.
In 1985, he made a one off appearance in American soap opera Days Of Our Lives as David Helpern.
Recently, James played the role of Dr. Weir on Netflix’s hit series The Crown.
His last role was in the film adaptation of Tim Minchin’s successful musical Matilda, released in cinemas in 2022, in which James played a sleeping teacher.