JEREMY Kyle has lead emotional tributes to “fearless legend” James Whale after the radio star’s death at 74 following a battle with cancer.
The revered Talk presenter, who took part in the reality show in 2016, recently said he was “happy to go now” after moving into a hospice.
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But James sadly lost his battle and it was announced earlier today that he had passed away.
This tragic news has left the TV world heartbroken with his close showbiz pals taking to social media with tributes.
TV presenter Jeremy Kyle said on Talk TV shortly after finding out the sad news: “He was an absolute fearless legend, a man who believed that it was about people. Believed it was about opinion.
“Never shied away from being brave enough to say what he felt.”
Talk TV host Julia Hartley Brewer wrote on X: “So sad that my amazing, wonderful @TalkTV colleague James Whale has died.
“He was a legend both on air and off air. It was a pleasure and an honour to know him. Sending Nadine and his family all my love xxxx”
James fellow colleague Dawn Neesom said: “So sad to hear that James has gone. God bless you Whaley, at peace & free of pain. Thoughts with the amazing @nadine_lamont & James family.”
In an obituary read on air by colleague and friend Mike Graham, Talk paid tribute to Whale and his outstanding contribution to radio over the last six decades, and his eight years on Talk and talkRADIO.
He said: “James began his remarkable career in the early 1970s when he pioneered a new kind of radio in Britain, the late night shock jock phone in. By the late 1980s, the James Whale radio show had become a cultural phenomenon, broadcasting every weekend on ITV. He attracted millions of viewers, making him a household name.
“James would go on to host a variety of programmes for ITV, Sky and the BBC before finding a new audience for talk radio, all the while continuing to make headlines during his appearance on Celebrity Big Brother.
“In 2006, after surviving kidney cancer, James launched Kidney Cancer UK, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds. In 2024, James was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours, recognising his extraordinary contribution to broadcast and charity.
James was diagnosed with stage-four kidney cancer in 2020.
In a heartbreaking update during his show, James revealed in June he had just weeks to live as he moved into the final stages of his terminal battle.
“I’m actually in my last couple of weeks. Last time I saw my oncologist, he said I probably have only got weeks to go,” James, 74, told viewers from his home on Saturday June 21.
“James Whale broke the rules, he shaped the airwaves, and did it all on his own terms. For millions, James wasn’t just a broadcaster. He was a companion, a provocateur, and a good friend that we’ll all never forget. God bless you, James. We’ll miss you.”
“Over the 50 years, I have interviewed and chatted to some of the most amazing people. It may have been you. Maybe we’ll catch up for the last time.”
Later, when a viewer named Paula called in, he confessed how emotional he has been about his prognosis.
He told her: “I spend a lot of time crying. And it really, it’s a bit embarrassing, Paula, to be quite honest with you.
“I’m heading into the sunset and I talk about it regularly on the show and you know it’s interesting because now everybody talks about it.
“Not me, not mine, but their own, you know, they don’t feel that they’re doing it quite right without having a cancer to talk about.”
Back at the beginning of May, James told viewers that his condition had worsened, treatment was no longer working and he would “be lucky to make it to Christmas”.
He explained: “I’m at the end of my cancer journey. There is no treatment I can have anymore.”
That same month, James celebrated his 74th birthday with loved ones.
It comes after he spent Christmas in intensive care before being discharged from the ICU on December 30.
His relieved wife Nadine 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.”
After battling kidney cancer in 2000, James launched the charity Kidney Cancer UK to increase knowledge and awareness, funding research into the causes, prevention and treatment of the disease.
He had fathered two kids with Melinda Maxted, James and Peter, before she herself was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.
Melinda died in May 2018, just three months after James made the announcement of her diagnosis.
In 2020, James revealed the disease had returned and spread to his spine, brain and lungs, and has shared his ongoing cancer battle candidly with listeners and viewers over the past few years.
A year later, on his 70th birthday, James announced his engagement to Nadine Lamont-Brown, before marrying her in October of that year.
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