Radio broadcaster James Whale battling aggressive cancer

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 4d

Veteran broadcaster James Whale reveals that he has been diagnosed with cancer of the kidney, lungs, brain and spine.

Veteran radio broadcaster James Whale has revealed that he is suffering from cancer of the kidney, spine, lungs and brain.

The 69-year-old had a kidney removed 20 years ago when he previously battled cancer but was informed a fortnight ago that the disease had returned.

"This little bastard has spread," he told The Sun. "It's in my remaining kidney. I've got a couple of small lesions in my lungs. I've got it in my spine. I've got it in my brain."

Whale went on to admit that he considered visiting assisted suicide clinic Dignitas after he received the news but is now on a course of immunotherapy and has "no intention of dying" yet.

"The pills should shrink the tumours until they hopefully disappear," he added. "It doesn't work for everybody, but some people have been on their deathbeds then given this treatment and a couple of days later they're up digging their gardens. I'm pretty sure I will be back on air very, very soon.

"I have no intention of dying right at this particular moment. I've got a few more programmes in me that I need to do, including more TV. I am pretty strong. I'm determined not to allow this to really undermine me.

"I'm coming up to being the oldest working man on British radio and I have continually been on air since I was 24. Next year I'm 70, so if I live another ten years, I'd be quite happy."

Whale will return to talkRADIO tonight.