TalkTV presenter James Whale has shared a devastating update about his terminal cancer, revealing through tears that he’s “coming to the end” of his journey. The 73-year-old broadcaster, who was first diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2000 and later faced a stage four diagnosis in 2019, appeared via video link from home with his wife Nadine by his side, visibly emotional.
“I’m coming to the end,” James confessed, as he struggled to contain his emotions. “Today I got very emotional. I can feel it coming back, and I want to stop. I’m spending a lot of time crying. In the end, it’s the emotion of the whole thing – the pain, the reality, the finality.”
James, who stopped treatment earlier this year, told viewers back in May that he did not expect to make it to Christmas. On TalkTV, he admitted that continuing to work — even occasionally — has given him a purpose. “If it wasn’t for work allowing me to come in now and again, we would go around the bend. It gives you focus, a reason to do something – even if it’s just this.”
His wife Nadine, holding back tears, added: “It’s very sad, it’s very tough, and you’re doing amazingly dealing with it.”
The veteran presenter’s story has moved thousands. Dame Andrea Jenkyns shared her support on X, writing, “Heartbreaking to see you go through this, sending much love and prayers to you both James xx.”
Listeners also flooded social media with messages. One fan wrote, “Life is so cruel. There are no words, but I believe in the afterlife – it’s not the end.” Another added, “Loved listening to James Whale for years. A radio legend.”
James also reflected on the tragic passing of his first wife, Melinda Maxted, who died from lung cancer in 2018. After years of battling his own illness, he now says, “There is no treatment I can have anymore… as soon as I can’t do the show, I won’t.”
In a raw moment during a recent studio appearance, he thanked TalkTV for allowing him to continue broadcasting. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am to still be on air and sit next to Ash, even if he is a pain in the butt. I’ve been doing it for 25 years.”