A shock jock who told the honest truth

THE ORIGINAL “shock jock” James Whale changed the face of British radio, arguing with late-night callers to his show and even cutting them off when they annoyed him.

- 

With a smooth delivery and sardonic wit, he became listeners’ go-to big mouth DJ, able to infuriate and outrage them just as often as he agreed with them. Always highly entertaining, he was never dull.

In 2021, James joined the Daily Express as a no-nonsense columnist, with his take on current affairs pricking the pomposity of politicians.

One reader Dave Atkinson from Bolton wrote to the paper: “He was never afraid to tell it how it was and would speak for probably 90% of the country with his wise words.

“He’d have made one hell of a politician. The world will be a much sadder place without him.”