Radio broadcaster James Whale has given a devastating health update as the star said he’s ‘at the end’ of his cancer journey and there are ‘no treatments left’.
James, 73, is battling stage four kidney cancer that has spread to his spine, brain and lungs, and had previously said Christmas 2023 could be his last after stopping treatment.
Making the announcement on Monday, with his Talk co-host Ash Gould by his side, he shared that he wouldn’t be on the airwaves much longer and that his show may soon come to an end.
He said: ‘I’m at the end of my cancer journey. There is no treatment I can have anymore.’
He added: ‘I can’t tell you how grateful I am to Talk to actually let me on the air and sit next to Ash, which is a real pain in the butt, but I’ve been doing it for 25 years!’
James said his recent ill health had taken its toll on him due to a severe bout of flu which led to an intensive care stay.
Radio broadcaster James Whale has given a devastating health update as the star said he’s ‘at the end’ of his cancer journey and there are ‘no treatments left’
James, 73, is battling stage four kidney cancer that has spread to his spine, brain and lungs and had previously said Christmas 2023 could be his last after stopping treatment
Making the announcement on Monday, with his Talk co-host Ash Gould by his side, James shared that he wouldn’t be on the airwaves much longer and that his show may soon come to an end
Despite his health, James managed to joke: ‘It might actually be helping me, you never know, so I don’t let that cloud my judgment – but on the medication I am on, I’m all over the place.
‘I’m hoping to go on for another few weeks, few months but as soon as I can’t do the show anymore, I won’t.’
Celebrity Big Brother star James spent Christmas in intensive care after being rushed to hospital amid his terminal cancer battle.
He was hospitalised with the flu and was later discharged from the ICU to recover at home.
His relieved wife, Nadine, 59, told fans at the time: ‘After a worrying week I am happy to report that @THEJamesWhale is out of ICU and back at home, having batted off the Grim Reaper yet again.
‘This time he tried with a bout of Influenza A, but without success. Our hero is home for NYE.’
James received an MBE for services to broadcasting and charity back in April 2024.
Stepping out on the special day James wore a navy suit, crisp white shirt and patterned blue tie.
By his side, Nadine looked lovely in a white dress and pale blue coat with a coordinating hat.
James received an MBE for services to broadcasting and charity back in April 2024
James began his career with Metro Radio in 1974 where he pioneered the late-night radio phone-in (pictured in 1998)
The December before, after learning about his MBE milestone, James said: ‘Nobody could have been more surprised than me; thank you to all the guys who made it possible over the years everybody at Talk Radio and TV and everywhere.
‘I’ve worked since the 70s and the guys that run the Charity kidney cancer UK, thank you all this is for us.’
Kidney Cancer UK said: ‘We are very proud that our founder and Lifetime President @TheJamesWhale was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List. Congratulations James.’
James began his career with Metro Radio in 1974 where he pioneered the late-night radio phone-in.
He rose to fame in the 1980s with his frank style, dry wit and no-nonsense approach on late-night programme The James Whale Radio Show, gaining a legion of loyal listeners.
The host then spent 13 years at TalkSport before hosting the drivetime show on LBC and the breakfast show on BBC Essex.
During his career he also hosted Whale On, Dial Midnight and Central Weekend Live for ITV, and Talk About for BBC One.
His autobiography Almost A Celebrity: A Lifetime Of Night-Time was published in 2008 and he later launched a new version of The James Whale Radio Show.
Last year, he was awarded the first-ever Television and Radio Industries Club (TRIC) Recognition Award for his 50 years in broadcasting.
Richard Wallace, head of TalkTV, said about the MBE: ‘There are legends – and then there’s James Whale. This award is a fitting acknowledgement of a maverick talent who has entertained TV and radio audiences with inimitable style for more than 50 years.’
Dennie Morris, director of audio and news broadcasting at TalkTV, said: ‘James is not only a giant of radio and television, but one of the loveliest men I’ve ever met.
‘His contribution to the industry and to charity over the years has been remarkable. I can think of no one more deserving of this honour.’
In 2000, James was diagnosed with kidney cancer and was told he had only three months to live. He underwent treatment and had surgery to remove one of his kidneys. Then, in 2020, he revealed that the cancer had returned and had spread to his spine, brain and lungs.
James explained that he had chosen ‘quality of life’ over quantity after ending his treatment to focus on ‘making memories’.
He told The Sun a few years ago: ‘This could be my last Christmas. Basically, I have to choose between the quality and quantity of life, and I’ve chosen quality so that I can have a good time and make great memories with my lovely wife, Nadine.
‘I’ve had a good life, I can’t complain. But I’m just gonna make the next months as entertaining and interesting as I can, which is all any of us can do.’
Elsewhere in the interview, James heartbreakingly spoke about the struggles of his terminal cancer, admitting he doesn’t want to ‘go on forever’ feeling as unwell as he does now.
In September 2023, James explained he had chosen ‘quality of life’ over quantity after ending his treatment (James and wife Nadine pictured in June)
The TV personality also reflected on his married life with Nadine, saying he told her they should ‘cool off’ their romance when he was first diagnosed with cancer when they first started dating.
He said: ‘It was so unfair on her, so I said, ‘I think we should cool it and not see each other’, and she replied, ‘Oh that’s nice, so if I’d just been diagnosed with a terminal illness, you wouldn’t come and see me any more’, so we carried on.’
James and Nadine got chatting in their local village pub in Kent when they found out their spouses were both being treated by the same consultant. Sadly, James lost his first wife, Melinda, to lung cancer in May 2018, while Nadine lost her husband, also to cancer, in 2020.
They married a year later, at Tenterden Town Hall in Kent, surrounded by their loved ones, including James’s good friend, TV presenter Lizzie Cundy, with Nadine saying they didn’t have the ‘luxury’ of time.
James and Melinda were married for 48 years and had two sons, James and Peter. They also have two teenage grandchildren, Oscar and Ella.
