UK ‘shock jock' James Whale dies of cancer at the age of 74
Whale was first diagnosed with cancer in 2000 and had to have one of his kidneys removed.
Then, in 2020, the TalkTV host revealed that the cancer had returned in his kidney, spine, brain and lungs.
Graham said: 'James began his remarkable career in the early 1970s when he pioneered a new kind of radio in Britain, the late-night shock jock phone-in.
'James would go on to host a variety of programmes for ITV, Sky and the BBC before finding a new audience for talk radio, all the while continuing to make headlines during his appearance on Celebrity Big Brother.
'By the late 1980s, the James Whale radio show had become a cultural phenomenon, broadcasting every weekend on ITV. He attracted millions of viewers, making him a household name.
'In 2006, after surviving kidney cancer, James launched Kidney Cancer UK, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds. In 2024, James was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours, recognising his extraordinary contribution to broadcast and charity.
'James Whale broke the rules, he shaped the airwaves and did it all on his own terms.
'For millions, James wasn't just a broadcaster. He was a companion, a provocateur and a good friend that we'll all never forget. God bless you, James. We'll miss you.'
Whale's wife Nadine Lamont-Brown said in a statement: 'It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my darling husband, James Whale, who died peacefully this morning with a smile on his face, holding my hand.'
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The leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage, described Whale as a 'broadcasting pioneer' in a post on X.
He said: 'James Whale was a broadcasting pioneer, legend and the king of late-night talk radio. But most importantly, he was a friend who will be missed.'
Speaking on TalkTV, he added: 'James genuinely was a broadcasting pioneer, a broadcasting legend, the king of late night phone-ins.
'He would often take a position that was entirely contrary to what he really believed in, just for the sake of public debate. And if you think about that, in the broader context of what freedom, democracy, society is all about, James was completely a part of it.'
Whale began his career with Metro Radio in 1974 where he pioneered the late-night radio phone-in.
He rose to fame in the 1980s with his frank style, dry wit and no-nonsense approach on late-night programme The James Whale Radio Show, gaining a legion of loyal listeners.
He spent 13 years at TalkSport before hosting the drivetime show on LBC and the breakfast show on BBC Essex.
Whale went on to host his own show on TalkTV, James Whale Unleashed, every Friday from 10pm-1am.
His last interview for the programme was with Mr Farage and aired on July 18.
During his career he also hosted Whale On, Dial Midnight and Central Weekend Live for ITV, and Talk About for BBC One.
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