James Whale gives devastating health update as star says he's 'at the end' of cancer journey and there are 'no treatments left'
Radio broadcaster James Whale has given a devastating health update as the star said he's 'at the end' of 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 with his Talk co-host Ash Gould by his side, on Monday he shared that he wouldn't be on the airways 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.
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 then 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 and wore a matching hat.
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 Years 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 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, 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.'
James was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer in 2020. He was previously given just three months to live when he contracted kidney cancer in 2000.
James has previously explained he has chosen 'quality of life' over quantity after ending his treatment and focuses 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.
The TV personality also reflected on his marriage with wife 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.'
They then got married at Tenterden Town Hall in Kent surrounded by their loved ones in October 2021, with Nadine saying they didn't have the 'luxury' of time.
James lost his first wife Melinda to lung cancer in May 2018.
James and Melinda were married for 48 years and had two sons James and Peter. They also have two teenage grandchildren, Oscar and Ella.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
13 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Retired banker reaches Scotland after running 50 marathons along the coast
Reaching the border marks the quarter-point of his goal to run 200 marathons in 200 days, while researchers at the University of Exeter monitor the impact on his body. Steve James, 65, set off from Topsham, Devon on April 16 and will end his feat there after running anticlockwise around the coast for seven months. He currently runs for around six hours each day, occasionally staying with his wife in their camper van or in a variety of accommodations. Mr James, who lives and trains on Dartmoor, is being supported during his challenge by his wife and their five children. 'I'm so proud to have made it to over 50 days. I've made it all the way from Exeter along the coast to the Scottish border, a total of 1,380 miles,' he said. 'There have been a few bumps along the way, but I've overcome them all and am that much stronger because of it and ready to take on the next stage. 'I'm really looking forward to the many facets of the Scottish coastline and meeting the people of this beautiful country.' Mr James has already faced his share of hardships on his journey, running through harsh weather conditions, closed footpaths, severely blistered feet and a gout flareup resulting in a trip to A&E. The Exeter research team assessed him before his departure and continues to monitor him throughout this challenge, while he captures his own measurements daily for them to analyse. They are studying his calorie intake, blood, oxygen and muscle measurements to examine the effect of such an extreme sport on the body. Mr James said: 'By the end of this challenge, the scientists will have more insight into how far a 65-year-old person can push their body. 'Of all the challenges I've done, this is the most extreme and the biggest stretch.' At this stage, the team has seen no adverse effects of this high-endurance challenge in the blood samples, which are being used to measure hormone fluctuations, inflammation and overall health. He has lost weight, although this was a likely result that researchers anticipated due to his extreme calorie output. Dr Freyja Haigh, nutritional physiology researcher at the University of Exeter, said: 'We're currently tracking Steve's energy intake and expenditure in order to assess any changes in body mass, which is to be expected with this very physical challenge. 'We're unsure at the moment if Steve's weight loss is from fat or muscle mass. 'I'm hoping to visit him in the near future to take muscle thickness measurements at multiple points on the body to compare with those we took before he left. 'Having reached this point would be an incredible achievement for anyone, but doing it in your 60s is a whole different ballgame. 'What Steve is doing really challenges the stereotypes of ageing and redefines what's possible later in life. 'It's also fascinating in terms of the science – Steve gives us a real insight into how this type of endurance affects the body of an older person. 'It's been such a privilege to work with him so far and I can't wait to see how he gets on in this next stage.' Throughout his life, Mr James has loved physical challenges, from taking part in Ten Tors while at school to cycling around the world in 220 days in 2019. The record for running the British coastline is held by Nick Butter, who completed the feat in 128 days at the age of 31. But Mr James is the first person over 60 to take on the feat.
South Wales Guardian
13 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Retired banker reaches Scotland after running 50 marathons along the coast
Reaching the border marks the quarter-point of his goal to run 200 marathons in 200 days, while researchers at the University of Exeter monitor the impact on his body. Steve James, 65, set off from Topsham, Devon on April 16 and will end his feat there after running anticlockwise around the coast for seven months. He currently runs for around six hours each day, occasionally staying with his wife in their camper van or in a variety of accommodations. Mr James, who lives and trains on Dartmoor, is being supported during his challenge by his wife and their five children. 'I'm so proud to have made it to over 50 days. I've made it all the way from Exeter along the coast to the Scottish border, a total of 1,380 miles,' he said. 'There have been a few bumps along the way, but I've overcome them all and am that much stronger because of it and ready to take on the next stage. 'I'm really looking forward to the many facets of the Scottish coastline and meeting the people of this beautiful country.' Mr James has already faced his share of hardships on his journey, running through harsh weather conditions, closed footpaths, severely blistered feet and a gout flareup resulting in a trip to A&E. The Exeter research team assessed him before his departure and continues to monitor him throughout this challenge, while he captures his own measurements daily for them to analyse. They are studying his calorie intake, blood, oxygen and muscle measurements to examine the effect of such an extreme sport on the body. Mr James said: 'By the end of this challenge, the scientists will have more insight into how far a 65-year-old person can push their body. 'Of all the challenges I've done, this is the most extreme and the biggest stretch.' At this stage, the team has seen no adverse effects of this high-endurance challenge in the blood samples, which are being used to measure hormone fluctuations, inflammation and overall health. He has lost weight, although this was a likely result that researchers anticipated due to his extreme calorie output. Dr Freyja Haigh, nutritional physiology researcher at the University of Exeter, said: 'We're currently tracking Steve's energy intake and expenditure in order to assess any changes in body mass, which is to be expected with this very physical challenge. 'We're unsure at the moment if Steve's weight loss is from fat or muscle mass. 'I'm hoping to visit him in the near future to take muscle thickness measurements at multiple points on the body to compare with those we took before he left. 'Having reached this point would be an incredible achievement for anyone, but doing it in your 60s is a whole different ballgame. 'What Steve is doing really challenges the stereotypes of ageing and redefines what's possible later in life. 'It's also fascinating in terms of the science – Steve gives us a real insight into how this type of endurance affects the body of an older person. 'It's been such a privilege to work with him so far and I can't wait to see how he gets on in this next stage.' Throughout his life, Mr James has loved physical challenges, from taking part in Ten Tors while at school to cycling around the world in 220 days in 2019. The record for running the British coastline is held by Nick Butter, who completed the feat in 128 days at the age of 31. But Mr James is the first person over 60 to take on the feat.
Powys County Times
14 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Retired banker reaches Scotland after running 50 marathons along the coast
A retired banker who is striving to become the first man over the age of 60 to run the entire coastline of mainland Britain has reached Scotland as he completes his 50th consecutive day of running. Reaching the border marks the quarter-point of his goal to run 200 marathons in 200 days, while researchers at the University of Exeter monitor the impact on his body. Steve James, 65, set off from Topsham, Devon on April 16 and will end his feat there after running anticlockwise around the coast for seven months. He currently runs for around six hours each day, occasionally staying with his wife in their camper van or in a variety of accommodations. Mr James, who lives and trains on Dartmoor, is being supported during his challenge by his wife and their five children. 'I'm so proud to have made it to over 50 days. I've made it all the way from Exeter along the coast to the Scottish border, a total of 1,380 miles,' he said. 'There have been a few bumps along the way, but I've overcome them all and am that much stronger because of it and ready to take on the next stage. 'I'm really looking forward to the many facets of the Scottish coastline and meeting the people of this beautiful country.' Mr James has already faced his share of hardships on his journey, running through harsh weather conditions, closed footpaths, severely blistered feet and a gout flareup resulting in a trip to A&E. The Exeter research team assessed him before his departure and continues to monitor him throughout this challenge, while he captures his own measurements daily for them to analyse. They are studying his calorie intake, blood, oxygen and muscle measurements to examine the effect of such an extreme sport on the body. Mr James said: 'By the end of this challenge, the scientists will have more insight into how far a 65-year-old person can push their body. 'Of all the challenges I've done, this is the most extreme and the biggest stretch.' At this stage, the team has seen no adverse effects of this high-endurance challenge in the blood samples, which are being used to measure hormone fluctuations, inflammation and overall health. He has lost weight, although this was a likely result that researchers anticipated due to his extreme calorie output. Dr Freyja Haigh, nutritional physiology researcher at the University of Exeter, said: 'We're currently tracking Steve's energy intake and expenditure in order to assess any changes in body mass, which is to be expected with this very physical challenge. 'We're unsure at the moment if Steve's weight loss is from fat or muscle mass. 'I'm hoping to visit him in the near future to take muscle thickness measurements at multiple points on the body to compare with those we took before he left. 'Having reached this point would be an incredible achievement for anyone, but doing it in your 60s is a whole different ballgame. 'What Steve is doing really challenges the stereotypes of ageing and redefines what's possible later in life. 'It's also fascinating in terms of the science – Steve gives us a real insight into how this type of endurance affects the body of an older person. 'It's been such a privilege to work with him so far and I can't wait to see how he gets on in this next stage.' Throughout his life, Mr James has loved physical challenges, from taking part in Ten Tors while at school to cycling around the world in 220 days in 2019.
