JAMES Whale is ending his cancer treatment, three years after being diagnosed with the disease at stage-four.
Broadcaster James, 72, told The Sun: "This could be my last Christmas," as he continues to live with kidney cancer, which he first defeated 20 years ago.
The terminally-ill radio veteran has been receiving chemotherapy since a second detection in 2020, but has now decided to come off the aggressive medication after being giving a choice between "the quality and quantity of life".
James' wife Nadine, 58, who he affectionately calls Lady W, has cared for him throughout his health battle and meticulously keeps on top of his hospital appointments and prescriptions.
Having been given just months to live during the pandemic, he's shown incredible endurance and continues to present his TalkTV show every Saturday night, as well as his weekly podcast with Nadine, Tales of the Whales.
Looking back on his doctors' prognoses, James said, "I've gone on quite some considerable time."
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Never one to feel sorry for himself, the former ITV presenter explained how he came to the decision in his typically lighthearted manner.
He began, "My oncologist Professor Tom Powles is the greatest kidney cancer expert in the country, in my view, and last time Lady W and I had a chat with him, it was quite funny.
"He started the conversation by saying, 'I’m really bored with your treatment.'
"I replied, 'Yeah so am I!'
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"He then said, 'It's probably time to come off it,' because, of course, it only lasts for so long. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I’ve been prepared for this for a number of years."
James, whose cancer spread to his spine, brain and lungs at the start of the decade, takes a multitude of drugs to keep himself alive every day.
He said, "They’re still treating some of the issues. I have a brain tumour on my pituitary gland, which affects your hormones but can still be treated in several ways.
"Basically, I have to choose between the quality and quantity of life and I’ve chosen quality so that I can have a good time and make great memories with my lovely wife, Nadine.
"At some point, we always die. It could be any time really for me, but luckily at the moment I can still work here at TalkTV and Radio."
One of the country's most revered radio personalities, James has been in the business for no less than 50 years and recently received the first ever TRIC Recognition Award for his outstanding work.
He's helped countless others too, having launched the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer in 2006 – now known as Kidney Cancer UK – the nation's leading specialist charity of its kind.
James reflected, "I’ve had a good life, I can’t complain. But I’m just gonna make the next months as entertaining and interesting as I can, which is all any of us can do.
"Whatever age you may be, if you were told you only had another year or a couple of months to live, rather than sitting at home feeling sorry for yourself, I think you'd be out there having a great time."
The Surrey-native, who often credits Nadine for her support, concluded, "Please bear in mind also, it must be much more difficult to be the partner of somebody who is going through this.
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"So as the saying goes, onwards and upwards. And who knows where?"
- James Whale Unleashed airs Saturdays between 10pm and 1am on TalkTV and TalkRadio.
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