James Whale says 'I can't go on much more' as he shares heartbreaking cancer update
TV and radio star James Whale has shared a devastating insight into his cancer diagnosis as he has just 12 weeks to live. The presenter left his fans heartbroken with his latest update since he was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer in 2020.
He revealed he is struggling to breathe, talk, hear and think as he enters week seven. James admitted his speech has become slow and he is forgetful, while also suffering pressure sores.
The host has remained committed in sharing updates with his fans as he has carried on his podcast, Tales of the Whales alongside his wife Nadine. On the emotional episode, James shared: "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?" 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." Wife Nadine told him: 'You're getting quite tired, so from next week, we're restricting visitors to just very close friends and family.'
James responded: 'The most tiring thing I found… I still can't hear very well, which is more frustrating than anything else. I've become very slow in my speech and then forgetful and everything else."
He also spoke of his pressure sores as 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. People have to go through a lot worse, don't they? Do they?"
At the end of the poignant update, James devastatingly shared: "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." James was first diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2000 and had a kidney removed.
In 2020, he revealed the disease had spread to his spine, brain, and lungs. The veteran broadcaster has faced a tumultuous journey ever since.
Back in May, James told his fans he was "at the end" of his cancer journey as he announced the last of his long-running TalkTV programme. James sadly revealed his condition had worsened and that treatment was no longer an option.
Making the announcement with his Talk co-host Ash Gould by his side, he shared: "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!"
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."
The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, call us on 0808 808 0000.
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