James Whale said 'I'm happy to go now' just hours before his death

James Whale opened up about finding peace and not being afraid of dying after entering a hospice just hours before his death.

The iconic radio host died at the age of 74 following a brave battle with cancer which spanned five gruelling years. The former Celebrity Big Brother star was first diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2000 and had documented his journey up until his final days.

At the time, the broadcasting star had one of his kidneys removed due to a cancerous tumour on it. However, after feeling unwell for about a year, the radio DJ visited a doctor and was given the news that cancer had returned in August 2020. It comes after he announced in August of the same year that the cancer had spread to his spine, brain and lungs.

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His wife, Nadine, confirmed that James died earlier today. She told the Express: "James slipped away very gently this morning. It was a beautiful passing, and he left with a smile on his face."

In a statement shared on social media, TalkTV said: "We are sad to announce that James Whale MBE died earlier today, aged 74, following a lengthy battle with cancer. As a broadcasting legend for over 50 years, James will be missed by so many at TALK and the wider News UK family."

After moving into The Heart of Kent Hospice last month, doctors gave James just weeks to live.

In a recent Daily Express column, James said that he was no longer afraid of dying. "I feel at peace here, even though I'm not a religious person."

He praised the hospice staff for making "dying as peaceful and pain-free as possible" and admitted: "Despite everything, I'm happy to go now."

James also urged everyone to "take death seriously" and discuss their wishes with loved ones before illness strikes. Highlighting the hospice’s financial struggles, James revealed it cost £7.4 million last year to run, with 80% from fundraising, and they need £12 billion more to build a new facility.

Sharing a glimpse of daily hospice life, he mentioned themed events, cocktails and mocktails for patients, and visits from family pets.

On his podcast Tales of the Whales, James described his steep health decline: "I can't breathe, I can't think, I can't talk."

Recent images showed James frail and wrapped in a yellow blanket during an emotional interview with Nigel Farage, which James called "one of the most compelling and profound conversations" of his career.

James married Nadine Lamont-Brown in 2021, just 14 months after revealing his advanced cancer diagnoses.

His late wife Melinda, whom he was married to for 48 years, died of Stage 4 lung cancer in 2018.

James and Melinda had two sons and two grandchildren. Nadine has stood by him through his battle, acknowledging they don’t have the "luxury" of time.

For more information or support about cancer, you can contact Macmillan Cancer Support.

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