James Whale: Outspoken radio host courted controversy on the airwaves

Leader Live

04-08-2025

The long-serving presenter and disc jockey held shows at many of the nation's best-known stations, from the BBC to LBC and TalkRadio.
His boisterous style and personable nature made him an enduring favourite among listeners, although his views sometimes landed him in trouble.
Michael James Whale was born in Ewell, Surrey, on May 13 1951.
He attended school in Epsom and as a teenager took up archery, becoming a Surrey junior champion.
Whale soon moved to King's Cross in London where his parents ran a pub.
He aspired to become an actor, but was dissuaded by his mother, and later took a DJ training course before landing his first gig at The Bird's Nest in Muswell Hill, north London.
Whale's big break came in 1970 when he was hired as a launch DJ for Radio Topshop, the fashion chain's in-house radio station.
During the 70s he hosted a show on Metro Radio before moving to BBC Radio Derby in 1980 to host a morning phone-in.
In the late 1980s, Whale became interested in US radio hosts, including 'shock jock' Howard Stern, and was deeply influenced by their style.
He became better known to a national audience after moving to Radio Aire in Leeds, and his dry wit and no-nonsense approach on late-night programme The James Whale Radio Show, broadcast simultaneously on radio and TV, gained him a legion of loyal listeners.
From 1995 to 2008, Whale hosted a weekday night talk show on TalkSport, featuring a varied roster of guests including musician Myleene Klass, conspiracy theorist David Icke and nightclub owner Peter Stringfellow.
He was sacked from TalkSport in May 2008 after he called on listeners to vote for Boris Johnson in the London mayoral election.
He subsequently hosted the drivetime show on LBC, the breakfast show on BBC Essex and later moved to TalkRadio.
During the Brexit referendum campaign, Whale clashed on his TalkRadio show with a number of prominent Brexiteers, but later suggested he had changed his mind in response to the behaviour of the European Union.
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.
The veteran broadcaster also dabbled in reality television, with a stint on Celebrity Big Brother in 2016 alongside Christopher Biggins and Broadway star Frankie Grande.
He was the sixth contestant to be eliminated, and left in a double eviction alongside The Only Way Is Essex's Lewis Bloor.
Whale caused a stir during his time on the show, clashing with broadcaster Saira Khan after the Loose Women panellist asked him if he was racist.
Khan said she had researched Whale before entering the house and had seen the claims online.
A post shared by TalkTV (@talktv)
He responded: 'I've never heard so much rubbish in my entire life.'
He added: 'I don't think I am known for that. Am I known for that? I don't know. I really don't know. I've been one of the judges of the British curry awards for 10 years.'
Whale announced in 2020 that he had been diagnosed with cancer in the kidney, spine, brain and lungs, 20 years after having a kidney removed due to a tumour.
His wife Melinda, with whom he had two sons, had died two years earlier from lung cancer.
Whale was made an MBE in the 2024 New Year Honours for services to broadcasting and charity.
Speaking after the investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, the broadcaster described the award as the 'pinnacle' of his career.
'It makes me feel very proud that somebody has recognised the fact that I've spent my entire life being rude to people for entertainment,' he said.
'It's a great honour at the end of your life.
'I started off at the age of 22 with my own radio show in the North East of England, thinking I'd probably have to look for a proper job in the not-too-distant future.
'And so far, touch wood, I haven't actually had to. So it's been good.'