James Whale’s final words: Radio star said past few months were hard

James Whale admitted that the past few months had been ‘hard’ and expressed his sadness at missing Christmas as his final words were revealed days after his death.

The radio presenter passed away last week at the age of 74 following a battle with kidney cancer.

And in a posthumous column for the Daily Express, written in the weeks before his death, James shared a departing message for his fans as he reflected on his life and cancer battle. 

The broadcaster, speaking from what he called ‘the great radio studio in the sky’, told how he felt it ‘necessary’ to express his final thoughts before his passing, joking that he ‘couldn’t be silenced in life’.

In his bittersweet message, he accepted his fate though admitted he didn’t want to die, going on to share his sorrow that he wouldn’t be able to enjoy once last festive season with his loved ones.

He penned: ‘It’s safe to say though that I won’t be around to celebrate Christmas and, while that makes me sadder than I can say – there have been plenty of tears – it’s the hand I’ve been dealt.’

Touching on the decline of his health, he went on: ‘The past few months have been hard. Up until earlier this year I was able to get to the Talk studios to do my weekly shows with almost no bother.’

James went on to say that while he had been juggling work with his various medical appointments, things eventually began to get more difficult, with the shock jock quipping: ‘It’s worn me out’.

He added that he’s made it this far with not only the help of the NHS, but also his wife of four years Nadine and his loved ones, while also noting that his interactions with listeners and readers have ‘kept me going’.

In his column, James also shared his curiosity about the future of politics including whether Reform UK wins the next general election, whether Keir Starmer will still be in office or if the Ukraine will finally be free from Russian warmongering. 

Reflecting on his decades-long career, James said ‘It’s been a total blast. I’ve been lucky enough to work pretty solidly for more than 50 years in an industry I love – entertaining and outraging listeners and readers and viewers in equal measure and, hopefully, cutting through some of the cr*p!’

The opinionated star noted that he’d made a career of ‘cutting people off’, before sarcastically adding that now the ‘plug’s been pulled on me’ amid the end of his life.

In his last departing words, James urged his fans to hold their loved ones close before sharing his love of the country as he noted Britain was the ‘best country in the world’.

James’ wife Nadine confirmed the news of his death earlier this month, telling the Express: ‘James slipped away very gently this morning. It was a beautiful passing and he left with a smile on his face.’ 

James’s Talk TV producer also paid tribute, sharing: ‘My friend James Whale has died, and the world’s a lot quieter without him. 

‘He faced the end with courage and wit. Broadcasting has lot a giant. I’ve lost a mate. Au revoir Whaley, I’ll miss you.’  

Mere hours before James’s death was announced, the broadcaster’s final column was published in which he revealed he was ‘happy to go now and feels at peace’ after moving into a hospice. 

Writing for the Daily Express, James revealed he was in a ‘positive’ headspace as he praised the doctors and nurses at The Heart of Kent Hospice.

He explained: ‘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.

‘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.’

While urging people to ‘take death seriously’, James said it’s important to discuss your wishes with our loved ones before it’s too late or becoming seriously ill.

In one final selfless act, James urged his fans to support the hospice as he shared the sheer cost of running the facility.

He revealed it cost a staggering £7.4million last year, in which 80 percent of the money was obtained through fundraising alone.

James said they need £12billion more to build a new hospice.

Praising the staff, James shared an insight into the day-to-day care for patients, revealing they even pass around cocktails and mocktails, as well as running themed events and allowing family pets in for visits.