Sir James Cruthers dies at 90

Former chairman of The Sunday Times and TVW Channel Seven Sir James Cruthers has died at the age of 90.

Sir James, who was once chairman of News American Publishing where he was personal adviser to Rupert Murdoch, is understood to have passed away yesterday.

He was a pioneer of Australian television, having established Perth’s first tv station TVW Channel Seven, and was knighted in 1980 for service to commerce, the community and the arts.

He was a philanthropist who established TVW Telethon and the WA Annual Christmas Pageant, and was a patron of the Lions Eye Institute.

He also supported charitable groups including the Hackett Foundation, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and the Association of the Blind.

Sir James was made an Order of Australia in 2008.

His wife, Sheila, passed away late in 2011.