Dying James Whale shares emotional update in terminal cancer battle as he reveals he is struggling to breathe and talk
Star James, 74 - who has been courageously battling stage 4 kidney cancer since 2020 - was told he has twelve weeks to live.
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He is now up to week seven - but says, 'I'm not me anymore'.
Speaking on his podcast Tales of the Whales alongside his co-host wife Nadine, they spoke about his conditions.
The much-loved TV personality said he is struggling to breathe, talk and think - and can't hear very well.
He also admitted his speech has become very slow and he is forgetful, while suffering with painful pressure sores.
On the emotional recording, he said: "I can't breathe, I can't think, I can't talk.
"Anyway. Good morning. Welcome to Tales of the Whales, our weekly podcast. I have terminal 5 cancer. Can you get 5?"
A confused James continued: "Could I thank everybody for getting in touch and wanting to meet up.
"I'm not being rude when I make it difficult to get touched up. I mean... in touch."
Nadine explained: 'You're getting quite tired, so from next week, we're restricting visitors to just very close friends and family.'
He added: 'The most tiring thing I found… I still can't hear very well, which is more frustrating than anything else.
James Whale reveals he's got weeks to live in emotional update on cancer battle, saying 'I spend a lot of time crying'
"I've become very slow in my speech and then forgetful and everything else."
Talking about his pressure sores he said: 'I'm tootling along, which is all you can do really, trying to get my breathing sorted and the mark on my bum.'
He humbly asked: "People have to go through a lot worse, don't they? Do they?"
The poignant conversation concluded: "Anyway. I don't feel I can go on much more...
"The other thing is, my energy levels have gone completely.
"So I wish everybody well, and let us hope we go through these phases as quickly as we can."
The star recently celebrated his 'last birthday' surrounded by loved ones after stopping his cancer treatment.
Back in May, the TALK show host revealed his long-running programme could be coming to an end as he reached the final stage of his battle.
One of the country's most revered radio personalities, James has been in the business for no less than 50 years and, in 2023, received the first ever TRIC Recognition Award for his outstanding work.
He's helped countless others too, having launched the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer in 2006 - now known as Kidney Cancer UK - the nation's leading specialist charity of its kind.
James, who first defeated kidney cancer 20 years ago, had been receiving the aggressive treatment since a second cancer detection in 2020.
Nadine, who he affectionately calls Lady W, has cared for him throughout his health battle and meticulously keeps on top of his hospital appointments and prescriptions.
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