James Whale, 71, confirms he will remain in hospital following blood transfusion
James Whale has confirmed that he will remain in hospital following a recent series of blood transfusions as he battles brain, spine, kidney and lung cancer.
The TV and radio presenter opened up about his terminal condition during a rare public appearance at the British Curry Awards in November, and has since been admitted to hospital for a series of procedures.
Whale, 71, has now revealed that a blood transfusion carried out during his current stay did not go as planned, meaning he will continue to receive medical supervision for an extended period of time.
Concern: James Whale has confirmed that he will remain in hospital following a recent series of blood transfusions as he battles cancers of the brain, spine, kidneys and lungs.
He told his Twitter followers on Monday night: ‘Sorry to say guys, a lot of people ask how my blood transfusions went. Unfortunately they didn’t do the trick.
“Apparently my lungs are full of blood clots, so they keep me inside to clean them out and I hope it won’t take long.”
The presenter also shared a photo from his hospital bed, with the self-deprecating caption: ‘Not sure if this is the look I should be going for! But you never know what could start a new trend.
Still smiling: The host also shared a photo from his hospital bed (top image), along with a self-deprecating caption (pictured)
Devastating: The TV and radio presenter opened up about his terminal condition during a rare public appearance at the British Curry Awards in November (pictured)
TalkTV and talkRADIO presenter Whale delivered a harrowing speech at Evolution London on November 28, while appearing at the annual British Curry Awards with his wife Nadine Lamont-Brown.
He told the assembled guests: ‘I know many of you won’t like me, but next year I won’t be here. I have terminal cancer.
‘As you may be able to hear, I am undergoing chemotherapy, which is making it difficult for me to breathe, but I am fine. Don’t worry.’
His love: He attended the event with his wife of one year, Nadine Lamont-Brown, accessorizing in navy blue ensembles.
Whale, who was speaking on stage at the British Curry Awards, also referenced his good friend Enam Ali MBE, who died in July after a two-year battle with cancer.
The Epsom curry pioneer raised more than £2m for charity before he died.
He continued: ‘I’m 70 now and I just want to say don’t waste your time on stupid things that don’t matter.
The presenter attended the event with his wife Nadine, who wore a dazzling sequined dress, while Whale cut a graceful figure in a blue patterned vest, blue blazer and orange-tinted glasses.
Hard time: Broadcaster Whale, seen in 2018, has revealed that he is battling multiple forms of cancer
The couple married in a romantic ceremony at Tenterden town hall in Kent in October 2021.
The wedding came 14 months after the radio host revealed he is battling spinal, brain and kidney cancer, and three years after his first wife, Melinda, died of stage 4 lung cancer.
He himself was given just three months to live when he contracted kidney cancer in 2000.
Whale previously announced their engagement on Twitter in May of that year, telling fans at the time that he would reveal “who later” while keeping the identity of his love a mystery.
Sharing the news, she wrote: “Breaking news for this weekend of my birthday, I have to announce that I am engaged, who will I reveal it to later!”
Their love: James planted a kiss on his loving wife as they walked the red carpet together
A pleased fan responded to James’ saying: ‘Please make it Ash [Gould, his talkRADIO co-host. I’ve listened to you two for years & it would be sooooo romantic! You’re just made for each other & I bet Melinda (looking down) would approve!’
This prompted the presenter to reply: ‘We have been together a long time.’
Whale’s late wife of 48 years Melinda passed away in May 2018, with the presenter telling MailOnline at the time of her diagnosis: ‘She is not expected to live very long, it may be weeks or months.
‘She is having treatment, and I can’t give up that last glimmer of hope. But the doctors say I have to face facts. She is dying. The though of losing her is so painful, it is difficult to even contemplate.’
Melinda went to her GP in September 2017, after feeling unwell and suffering with a cough.
She said: ‘I thought it was just a virus but the doctor found an infection in my lower, left lung and ear. I was prescribed antibiotics and sent home.’
When they didn’t work, Melinda went back and was prescribed another course, which also didn’t work, before being sent for a chest X-ray.
Battle: He had said that his latest chemotherapy treatment had made it hard for him to breathe
She said: ‘I was getting more and more tired. At one point I really doubted myself. I thought, “This is in your head, Melinda.” I thought it was the winter blues.
‘But when I saw the radiographer’s face I immediately knew something was wrong. The next day, I was told I needed further tests.
‘By the time I was told it was cancer in December, I already knew. Don’t ask me how, but I did. I have stage four lung cancer with secondary cancer scattered here, there and everywhere.
‘It’s in my bones, my spine and my lymph glands. It’s gone ping, all over the place. It was such a huge shock. You’re talking three months from perfect health to now, when I sleep almost 24 hours a day. It certainly crept up on me.’
She died just months later, in May 2018.
Whale had hoped Melinda could overcome the prognosis, like he did 18 years ago when he was told he had a tumour in his kidney the size of a football.
He said: ‘They weren’t sure they could operate. I thought I was going to die.’
After beating the odds and having a kidney removed, he set up Kidney Cancer UK, a charity that helps support those with the disease and their loved ones.
Whale has also been very candid about his own health troubles in recent years, revealing in 2020 that he discovered he had spine, brain and kidney cancer.
Speaking last August, he said he even considered throwing a farewell party with friends and then taking his own life after learning his diagnosis.
Whale said he considered euthanasia at ‘the place in Switzerland’ after he was given his diagnosis- just two years after he lost his wife Melinda to the devastating disease
Heartbreak: Whale’s late wife of 48 years Melinda passed away in May 2018, with him telling MailOnline at the time of her diagnosis: ‘She is not expected to live very long, it may be weeks or months’