James Whale remembered as talk radio pioneer following death at 74

James Whale, one of the UK’s most distinctive radio voices, has passed away at the age of 74.

He had been living with cancer for several years and continued broadcasting until the final weeks of his life.

Talk confirmed his death today, paying tribute to a career that spanned over six decades. Presenter Mike Graham led the on-air announcement, calling him “a pioneer of late-night radio” and “a true original who shaped the format for everyone who came after him.”

Whale’s broadcasting style – sharp, unfiltered and often controversial, helped define talk radio in Britain. He first made waves in the 1970s and gained national fame in the 1980s with The James Whale Radio Show, which became a late-night hit on ITV.

His career later took him across television and radio, with stints at Sky, the BBC, and talkRADIO, where he returned in 2016 and remained a fixture until recently. He also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, introducing his voice to a new audience.

In 2006, Whale revealed he had kidney cancer and went on to found Kidney Cancer UK. His efforts helped raise significant funds and awareness for the disease. He was awarded an MBE in the 2024 New Year Honours for services to broadcasting and charity.

Dennie Morris, Director of Audio at News Broadcasting, said: “James was the godfather of speech radio, and there will never be another like him.”

Earlier this month, he recorded a final conversation with Nigel Farage at home in Kent. It was a reflective look at his career, and his frank views on the changing face of media and politics.

Talk described him as “a companion, a provocateur, and a good friend who will be missed by colleagues and listeners alike.”