James Whale death: TalkTV presenter dies from cancer, aged 74
James Whale remembered as ‘broadcasting legend’ after death from cancer
- James Whale, the long-serving radio DJ and TV personality, has died at the age of 74 after a prolonged battle with cancer.
- His wife, Nadine Lamont-Brown, said he “slipped away very gently”, while TalkTV, his employer, paid tribute to him as a “broadcasting legend for over 50 years”.
- Whale was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer in 2020, having previously survived the disease in 2000, which inspired him to launch Kidney Cancer UK.
- Known for pioneering late-night phone-in shows, he had a career spanning five decades across ITV, Sky, BBC, TalkSport, and LBC, and received an MBE in the 2024 New Year Honours.
- Whale’s colleague Mike Graham said: “James Whale broke the rules, he shaped the airwaves, and did it all on his own terms ... he was a companion, a provocateur, and a good friend that we'll all never forget.”