I won’t be here this time next year
James Whale on terminal cancer
RADIO host James Whale revealed he has just months to live during a heartbreaking speech at an awards ceremony, telling the crowd: “This time next year I won’t be here.”
The TalkTV star, who has been open about his terminal cancer, made the shock announcement at the British Curry Awards in London.
The 71-year-old was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2000 and said last year the disease had spread to his spine, brain and lungs.
James told the audience on Monday: “I know a lot of you won’t like me but this time next year I won’t be here. I have terminal cancer. As you might be able to hear, I am having chemo, which makes it harder for me to breathe, but I’m OK. Don’t worry.”
“I am in my 70s now and I just want to say don’t waste your time on stupid things that don’t matter. Twenty-five years later I’ve got it again. I’m 71 and I’ve had a great life.”
James, who found fame in the 1980s hosting The James Whale Radio Show in Leeds and was on Celebrity Big Brother in 2016, went on to talk about British Curry Awards founder Enam Ali, who died of cancer recently.
He said: “He was one of my best mates, he showed us that as communities we can all get on together.
“I just want people to live together and stop being so stupid all the time.”
James gave a thumbs-up to cameras on the red carpet and posed with wife Nadine Talbot-Brown, whom he married last year.
He recently spoke about his illness in his Daily Express column as he sent support to A Place In The Sun star Jonnie Irwin, who also has terminal cancer.
He wrote: “Jonnie, mate, I wish you the best of luck. You’re a lot younger than me but I did start this journey 25 years ago. Hopefully things will help you that weren’t available.”
Two years ago, James’s health issues forced him to take time off. He has admitted when he was first diagnosed he thought of ending his life at Dignitas.
Don’t waste your time on stupid things that don’t matter
JAMES WHALE GIVING LIFE ADVICE TO AUDIENCE