A FISHING guide expert is celebrating the airing of his television programme.

James Stokoe, 41, from Hexham, is back on TV with his own series called The Untamed Anglers - Monster Quest, which he started filming in April last year and filmed the last episode in October.

The programme is on Virgin TV and viewers can now watch four episodes of the series.

James is joined by Ripon Khalique and Hywel Morgan as they seek out the UK's most formidable freshwater giants across five action-packed episodes.

Viewers will follow the crew all around the UK, from Cornwall to Oban in Scotland.

Each week, the trio sets out to catch elusive species like pike, perch, zander and skate, navigating the challenges of the wild with skill and determination.

Along their journey, the anglers team up with other expert fishers, conservationists, and scientists, delving into the pressing issues facing the UK's aquatic ecosystems. Through these collaborations, the series sheds light on the delicate balance between sport fishing and conservation, exploring topics such as habitat destruction, species preservation, and sustainable fishing practices.

This is not the first time James has been on TV, as James was one of eight contestants from across the country chosen to compete in BBC 2's Earth’s Wildest Waters – The Big Fish series in 2015.

The former Hexham Queen Elizabeth High School pupil was crowned the winner of the show after impressing expert judges throughout as he visited Iceland, Cuba, Costa Rica, Nigeria, Canada and Zambia.

Speaking about his new show, James said: "The show focuses on the true extremities of fish that live in our British waters, the amazing people that have had their lives changed by them and the current conservation based around the species.

"I’m now 41, have lived in Hexham most my life, and I have a fishing guide company on the river Tyne.

"We have people coming from all over the country to fish with me on our river here in and around Hexham.

"I’ve been fishing since I was 13 and was introduced by a friend of my dad, I’ve never looked back."