London, June 14, 2025 – Veteran broadcaster James Whale MBE delivered an emotional and candid update on his ongoing battle with stage four kidney cancer during a recent episode of his TalkTV show, James Whale Unleashed, leaving viewers and fans devastated. The 74-year-old radio and television icon, who has been fighting the disease since 2020, admitted live on air that “there really isn’t much time left” as his condition continues to deteriorate. The heartfelt moment, shared alongside co-host Ash Gould, has sparked an outpouring of support from across the UK and beyond.
During the Friday, June 6, 2025, broadcast, Whale spoke openly while engaging with a guest who had lost her husband to cancer. “Until very recently, everything was quite normal for me; everything was fine, and then you do get to a stage like I am now, with things getting very, very difficult,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion. “To anybody else who is in the final stages of cancer, you have my sympathy. I know exactly what you’re going through. I look basically okay, I get told I look alright, but it’s all make-up.” The raw honesty of his words resonated deeply, with viewers praising his courage for continuing to host his show despite his declining health.
Whale’s cancer journey began in 2000 when he was first diagnosed with kidney cancer, leading to the removal of one kidney. The cancer returned aggressively in 2020, spreading to his remaining kidney, spine, brain, and lungs. After years of treatment, including extensive surgery and the founding of the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer in 2006, Whale announced in May 2025 that he had stopped all treatments, stating, “I’m at the end of my cancer journey. There is no treatment I can have anymore.” He expressed gratitude to TalkTV for allowing him to continue broadcasting, adding, “I’m hoping to go on for another few weeks, maybe months, but as soon as I can’t do the show anymore, I won’t.”
The broadcaster, known for his frank style and dry wit, has been a fixture in British media for over five decades, rising to prominence in the 1980s with The James Whale Radio Show on Radio Aire in Leeds. His bold and sometimes controversial approach has earned him both loyal fans and Ofcom scrutiny, but his resilience in the face of personal tragedy—including the loss of his first wife, Melinda Maxted, to lung cancer in 2018—has cemented his reputation as a fighter. Whale was awarded an MBE in 2024 for his services to broadcasting and charity, a moment he described as bittersweet, saying, “I didn’t think I’d be here to receive this.”
Whale’s recent health struggles have been marked by multiple hospitalisations, including a stint in intensive care over Christmas 2024 and a New Year’s Eve visit to A&E, as shared by his wife, Nadine Lamont-Brown, on X. Despite these challenges, Whale has continued to defy expectations, celebrating his 74th birthday in May 2025 with friends, including radio host Lizzie Cundy, who posted a heartfelt tribute: “Happy birthday dearest James, we all love you so much.” Fans have also rallied around him, with one viewer, also battling stage four kidney cancer, writing on X, “You are a real inspiration. I seriously can’t believe how much better you look compared to two weeks ago!” Another added, “You’re amazing James! Keep showing the C who’s boss!”
Whale’s emotional update comes amidst the cancellation of his TalkTV show, a decision that added to the broadcaster’s challenges. Yet, he remains committed to his podcast, Tales of the Whales, encouraging fans to tune in for further updates. Reflecting on his career and life, Whale previously shared on TalkTV, “If I die tomorrow, I’ve had an amazing time and married an amazing lady,” referring to Nadine, who has been by his side throughout his battle.
The public response to Whale’s latest update has been overwhelming, with social media flooded with messages of admiration and support. Kidney Cancer UK, where Whale serves as Lifetime President, praised his enduring impact, stating, “We are very proud of our founder and his courage.” As Whale continues to face his terminal diagnosis with characteristic candour, his words serve as a poignant reminder of the personal toll of cancer and the strength required to confront it publicly. For now, he remains determined to keep broadcasting for as long as he can, leaving a lasting legacy in British media and the fight against kidney cancer.