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Daily Mirror
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
James Whale said 'I'm happy to go now' just hours before his death
Broadcasting legend James Whale has died at the age of 74, it has been announced by his family, five years after his cancer tragically returned James Whale opened up about finding peace and not being afraid of dying after entering a hospice just hours before his death. The iconic radio host died at the age of 74 following a brave battle with cancer which spanned five gruelling years. The former Celebrity Big Brother star was first diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2000 and had documented his journey up until his final days. At the time, the broadcasting star had one of his kidneys removed due to a cancerous tumour on it. However, after feeling unwell for about a year, the radio DJ visited a doctor and was given the news that cancer had returned in August 2020. It comes after he announced in August of the same year that the cancer had spread to his spine, brain and lungs. His wife, Nadine, confirmed that James died earlier today. She told the Express: "James slipped away very gently this morning. It was a beautiful passing, and he left with a smile on his face." In a statement shared on social media, TalkTV said: "We are sad to announce that James Whale MBE died earlier today, aged 74, following a lengthy battle with cancer. As a broadcasting legend for over 50 years, James will be missed by so many at TALK and the wider News UK family." After moving into The Heart of Kent Hospice last month, doctors gave James just weeks to live. In a recent Daily Express column, James said that he was no longer afraid of dying. "I feel at peace here, even though I'm not a religious person." He praised the hospice staff for making "dying as peaceful and pain-free as possible" and admitted: "Despite everything, I'm happy to go now." James also urged everyone to "take death seriously" and discuss their wishes with loved ones before illness strikes. Highlighting the hospice's financial struggles, James revealed it cost £7.4 million last year to run, with 80% from fundraising, and they need £12 billion more to build a new facility. Sharing a glimpse of daily hospice life, he mentioned themed events, cocktails and mocktails for patients, and visits from family pets. On his podcast Tales of the Whales, James described his steep health decline: "I can't breathe, I can't think, I can't talk." Recent images showed James frail and wrapped in a yellow blanket during an emotional interview with Nigel Farage, which James called "one of the most compelling and profound conversations" of his career. James married Nadine Lamont-Brown in 2021, just 14 months after revealing his advanced cancer diagnoses. His late wife Melinda, whom he was married to for 48 years, died of Stage 4 lung cancer in 2018. James and Melinda had two sons and two grandchildren. Nadine has stood by him through his battle, acknowledging they don't have the "luxury" of time.
Daily Record
04-08-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Radio legend James Whale dies aged 74 after cancer battle
James Whale's family confirmed the sad news today. Radio icon James Whale has died at the age of 74 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. The former Celebrity Big Brother star was first diagnosed back in 2000 with kidney cancer. Doctors removed one of his kidneys after they found a tumour. But in August 2020, after feeling unwell for around a year, the broadcasting veteran was hit with devastating news that the cancer had returned. He announced in August of the same year that the cancer had spread to his spine, brain and lungs. His wife, Nadine, confirmed that James died earlier today. She told the Express: "James slipped away very gently this morning. It was a beautiful passing, and he left with a smile on his face." In a statement shared on social media, TalkTV said: "We are sad to announce that James Whale MBE died earlier today, aged 74, following a lengthy battle with cancer. As a broadcasting legend for over 50 years, James will be missed by so many at TALK and the wider News UK family."
Daily Mirror
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
James Whale dead: Radio legend dies aged 74 after five-year cancer battle
James Whale has died aged 74 following a brave battle with cancer. The former Celebrity Big Brother star had been diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2000, which he battled. At the time, the broadcasting star had one of his kidneys removed due to a cancerous tumour on it. However, after feeling unwell for about a year, the radio DJ visited a doctor and was given the news that cancer had returned in August 2020. He announced in August of the same year that the cancer had spread to his spine, brain and lungs. His wife, Nadine, confirmed that James died earlier today. She told the Express: "James slipped away very gently this morning. It was a beautiful passing, and he left with a smile on his face." In a statement shared on social media, TalkTV said: "We are sad to announce that James Whale MBE died earlier today, aged 74, following a lengthy battle with cancer. As a broadcasting legend for over 50 years, James will be missed by so many at TALK and the wider News UK family." In his final newspaper column, which was released just one day before his death, James said: "What's surprised me most is how much better in myself I feel since finally moving into a hospice near my home in Kent a week or so back. "I began to feel better immediately. More positive. I feel at peace here, even though I'm not a religious person." He went on to write for the Daily Express: "I know I've reached the end of my life but I'm quite sanguine about it. Despite everything, I'm happy to go now and a lot of that is due to the people who work here, because they make dying as peaceful and pain-free as possible." The tragic news comes just hours after James' pal, Eamonn Holmes, shared a heartbreaking update, confirming he was "at the end of his journey". Speaking earlier today on GB News, Eamonn said: "A friend of ours James Whale, who I have been to see, is nearing the end of his life maybe this week" Christopher Biggins, who was appearing on the show said that the pair had visited James at his hospice over the weekend. He commented: "We went on Saturday to see him, and he looks terrific, I have to say, and it was great to see him but it's his voice that's the trouble. "The irony of being a journalist and using his voice on the radio brilliantly over the years, but now his voice is going." Christopher added: "What was so wonderful is the hospice that he's staying in, which I think needs something like £12million a year or something to survive, it was just wonderful. The nurses were phenomenal so the nurses so he's being looked after royally, and I think that keeps him going funnily enough. And he has a wonderful room with a view of trees and wonderful squirrels coming in to see him." James recently said he was struggling to breathe, think and talk, as he entered week seven of his 12 week prognosis just a matter of weeks ago. The host had remained committed in sharing updates with his fans as he carried on his podcast, Tales of the Whales alongside his wife Nadine. A touching clip from the columnist's last podcast was recently shared on TalkTV, with the journalist summoning the strength to say to his wife Nadine, "We've had a good time together, haven't we?" A supportive Nadine, who was next to him while the episode was being recorded, replied: "The best," before James whispered the words "I love you" to her. Clearly emotional, Nadine said: "I love you too. Shall we sign off on the podcast now?" James was put on steroids following his diagnosis to treat his stage four cancer. But in June, he revealed he had come "to the end" of his treatment. Speaking at the TRIC Awards in 2023, which he attended with his second wife Nadine Lamont-Brown, James told the Mirror: "I'm kind of at the end, the end of my treatment." But with trademark humour, he added: "When I lose a lot more weight when I get really ill, I'll look fantastic. I've just come off all the steroids I was on, which made me look like a bloody balloon. I'm feeling better from that." James' wife Nadine also explained: "He's had all the possible treatments, he's on a clinical trial but we're probably going to be winding up on that quite soon. It's stopped working." James added: "The cancer gets into your head and sometimes you can't stand noise. At the moment, I have got cancer fatigue, which makes you very tired. "Some days I might feel sorry for myself. I feel sorry for my wife really. It's more difficult for her." In November 2022, James told the British Curry Awards he "won't be here" in a year's time. Addressing the audience at the ceremony, he said: "I know a lot of you won't like me, but this time next year I won't be here. I have terminal cancer. As you might be able to hear, I am having chemotherapy which makes it harder for me to breathe, but I'm OK. Don't worry. "I am in my 70s now and I just want to say don't waste your time on stupid things that don't matter", he said. "25 years later I've got it again. I'm 71 and I've had a great life." James previously admitted that he thought about ending his life by euthanasia. The talkRADIO star lamented the thought "might as well go and get it over with" crossed his mind at first. He told The Sun: "I came home, had a little think about things. I decided I'm just booking myself a trip to Dignitas. You might as well just go and get it over with." "I'd looked into it quite some time ago because Melinda died two years ago and it's been something in the back of my mind," he said of his first wife Melinda, who died from lung cancer age 68 in 2018. James and Melinda were married for 48 years and shared two sons. He continued: "This little b*****d has spread. It's in my remaining kidney. I've got a couple of small lesions in my lungs. I've got it in my spine. I've got it in my brain." James rocketed to fame in the 1980s when he established himself as the host of The James Whale Radio Show in Leeds. The radio presenter was a big name on talkSPORT for over 13 years and was a huge player in catapulting the station into unwavering success. Later, he starred in Celebrity Big Brother in 2016 where he was regarded as one of the show's favourite personalities. The former Celebrity Big Brother star had been fighting brain, spine, kidney, and lung cancer. In 2000, the broadcasting star had one of his kidneys removed due to a cancerous tumor on it. However, after feeling unwell for about a year, the radio DJ visited a doctor and was given the news cancer had returned in August. James was undergoing immunotherapy and hormone replacement treatment while awaiting a prognosis. He had hopes of returning to work in a bid to avoid chemotherapy. After sharing his diagnosis, James admitted that he thought about ending his life by euthanasia. The talkRADIO star lamented the thought "might as well go and get it over with" crossed his mind at first. He told The Sun: 'I came home, had a little think about things. I decided I'm just booking myself a trip to Dignitas. You might as well just go and get it over with. 'I'd looked into it quite some time ago because Melinda died two years ago and it's been something in the back of my mind.' He continued: 'This little bastard has spread. It's in my remaining kidney. I've got a couple of small lesions in my lungs. I've got it in my spine. I've got it in my brain.' He survived his wife Melinda who died two years ago in 2018 after a long battle with lung cancer. James rocketed to fame in the 1980s when he established himself as the host of The James Whale Radio Show in Leeds.
Scottish Sun
04-08-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Terminally ill James Whale, 74, ‘feels happy to go now' after moving to a hospice
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TERMINALLY ill James Whale has heartbreakingly admitted he feels "happy to go now" after moving into a hospice. The broadcaster, 74, previously confessed he "probably won't be here next week" after re-locating to the end of life facility. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 James Whale has issued an emotional update amid his terminal cancer battle Credit: Instagram/@jameswhaleradio 6 The broadcaster told how he is 'at peace' and 'ready to go now' after moving into a hospice Credit: X/@THEJamesWhale 6 He was diagnosed with kidney cancer back in 2020 Credit: PA James has terminal kidney cancer and recently celebrated his "last birthday" surrounded by loved ones after stopping his treatment. Back in May, the TALK radio host revealed his long-running programme could be coming to an end as he reached the final stage of his battle. James was first diagnosed with kidney cancer back in 2000, and initially underwent successful treatment. However, he revealed in 2020 that the disease had returned and spread to his brain, lungs and spine. He has now admitted he "feels at peace" in his new facility after being told he has weeks to live. The charity fundraiser wrote in a new newspaper column: "What's surprised me most is how much better in myself I feel since finally moving into a hospice near my home in Kent a week or so back." He added in his piece for the Daily Express: "I began to feel better immediately. More positive. "I feel at peace here, even though I'm not a religious person. "I know I've reached the end of my life but I'm quite sanguine about it. "Despite everything, I'm happy to go now and a lot of that is due to the people who work here, because they make dying as peaceful and pain-free as possible." TalkTV's James Whale shares emotional cancer battle update as he says 'I haven't got much longer' in heartbreaking video One of the country's most revered radio personalities, James has been in the business for 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, after beating the illness two decades ago. He then urged fans to support the hospice as he outlined the range of activities they plan for guests. SAD UPDATES Back in 2023, James told how he planned to have two funerals - so he could attend one of them. Yet last month he gave a worrying update as he admitted he was struggling to talk and breathe. Speaking on his podcast Tales of the Whales alongside his co-host wife Nadine in July, they spoke about his conditions. 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?" 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. "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." 6 He moved into the Kent hospice last month Credit: x/TalkTV 6 In his podcast with wife Nadine, he told how he had difficulties breathing Credit: Rex
Scottish Sun
24-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Dying James Whale shares emotional update in terminal cancer battle as he reveals he is struggling to breathe and talk
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PRESENTER James Whale MBE has broken hearts with a tear-jerking glimpse into his terminal health battle. Star James, 74 - who has been courageously battling stage 4 kidney cancer since 2020 - was told he has twelve weeks to live. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 James Whale has opened up about his terminal 4 battle with cancer Credit: Instagram/@jameswhaleradio 4 The TalkTV presenter - who starred on Celeb BB - shared an emotional health update on his podcast Credit: Getty - Contributor 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. 4 The presenter and his wife speak candidly on their podcast Tales of the Whales Credit: @jameswhaleradio/Instagram
