A broadcasting pioneer and buccaneer

As Britain's first 'shock jock', radio presenter and Express columnist James Whale, who has died of kidney cancer at the age of 74, turned straight talking into a cultural phenomenon

- By Matt Nixson Associate Editor

BROADCASTER and journalist James Whale, who changed the face of radio forever in the early Seventies when he began taking late-night calls from listeners — often arguing with them and cutting them off — died yesterday morning at the age of 74 after a battle with kidney cancer.

The original “shock jock” passed away peacefully in a Kent hospice with his wife, Nadine Lamont-Brown, holding his hand.

She said: “James slipped away very gently. It was a beautiful passing and he left with a smile on his face.”

The Daily Express columnist beat kidney cancer in 2000 after being given a 50% chance of survival, but revealed five years ago that the disease had returned, spreading to his brain, lungs and spine.

With endless good humour and stoicism, he documented his struggle in the pages of this newspaper and via a popular podcast, Tales of the Whales, with Nadine, his second wife whom he married in October 2021.

Even after becoming too ill to travel to the studio, he continued his Talk Radio show and weekly columns. His final interview, broadcast last month on Talk, was with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. His last column for the Express was published yesterday.

During a 52-year career, Whale became famous for disconnecting listeners he clashed with. Earlier this year he said: “Having a disagreement is far more entertaining than agreeing all the time. Nobody wants everybody to agree with them — certainly not me — and I should know, I’ve made an entire career out of it.”

Blessed with a rich voice, dry wit and the hide of a rhino, the nation’s favourite motor mouth occasionally infuriated, sometimes outraged and often agreed with his listeners — but certainly never bored them.

Chris Evans and Jeremy Kyle were among the broadcasters to be influenced by his anarchic style.

Kicking