25-07-2025
Terminally ill James Whale reveals he's now in a hospice as Talk radio host says ‘I probably won't be here next week'
RADIO legend James Whale has revealed he has moved into a hospice in a heartbreaking final broadcast.
The 74-year-old, who has terminal cancer, spoke with a strained whisper in a short five-minute podcast from his bed and was joined by wife Nadine.
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James said: "This is probably going to be our last podcast.
"I'm in a hospice. I probably won't be here next week. I'm fine. I've got so many drugs in me, I can't feel a thing."
He reassured listeners on his website that he was comfortable and being treated well. Though his voice sounded sore, James insisted that there was no pain and that it simply "wouldn't work" as it once did.
"A lot of people get really upset when someone is going to die," continued James. "I'm the person who's going to die and I'm quite relaxed about it."
The couple admitted they have been crying a lot, reading messages and voice notes from people that have praised James' contribution to their lives.
He admitted he was "very upset and worried about Nadine", but she told him that she would seek comfort in all the brilliant memories they made together, such as trips to Cornwall and Antigua, and breakfast at London's five-star Savoy hotel.
James' humour certainly hasn't deserted him.
While explaining that there is a bathtub at the hospice that he is craned in and out of, he said the staff explained how Nadine can join him if she wanted to and that the lights can be dimmed, leading him to joke: "I began to wonder what sort of place this is."
When it was time to say goodbye for a final time, James said to Nadine: "We've had the best time together haven't we. I love you."
He added: "Thank you for being a listener I hope it helps in some way. Who knows what is next so I can only say au revoir."
James Whale reveals he's got weeks to live in emotional update on cancer battle, saying 'I spend a lot of time crying'
James has been courageously battling stage 4 kidney cancer since 2020.
He and Nadine, who James has been married to since 2021, have been keeping his fans up to date with his health on his Tales of the Whales podcast.
In his previous upload, James told how he was struggling to breathe, talk and think - and couldn'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: "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 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 radio 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 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.
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