FRIENDS and family of broadcast legend James Whale have gathered to say their final goodbyes at a funeral he planned himself.
The service, led by James’ vicar brother, will be held at St Nicholas Church in Maidstone, Kent, this afternoon.
w8mediaHis beloved widow Nadine was joined by close friends and family[/caption]
w8mediaHis beloved wife Nadine said he passed away ‘with a smile on his face’[/caption]
w8mediaNigel Farage and Lizzie Cundy are among the famous faces in attendance[/caption]
w8mediaChristopher Biggins was among those to arrive at the funeral[/caption]
w8mediaGuests have been invited to remember James at his favourite local pub[/caption]
w8mediaGame of Thrones actor James Cosmo will stand to read Epistle[/caption]
w8media80s pop heartthrob Matt Goss will perform at the service[/caption]
Nigel Farage, Christopher Biggins, Bobby Davro and Lizzie Cundy are among the famous faces in attendance for the emotional send-off.
The radio host, who starred on Celebrity Big Brother in 2016, died on August 4 following a long and brave battled with cancer.
His beloved wife Nadine said he passed away “with a smile on his face” surrounded by loved ones after moving into a hospice.
She led mourners at the church service which was packed out with pals and family of the late star who gathered to say their goodbyes.
The service will hear tributes from James’s relatives Peter and Adele, James and wife Nadine.
Game of Thrones actor James Cosmo will stand to read Epistle, followed by Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat’s Gospel.
George Michael’s former backing singer Shirley Lewis is set to perform Hallelujah! with husband Keith.
The traditional service’s sermon will include prayers, the grace, commendation and a communal at the graveside followed by the burial.
Amazing Grace, sung by Lee John, will end the church service with guests invited to remember James at his favourite local pub.
“Remember James in the way he wanted us to”, his family said.
“He said ‘I don’t want a sombre wake, I want an after party.”
Whale was first diagnosed with cancer back in 2000 and had to have one of his kidneys removed.
Then, in 2020, the TalkTV host revealed that the cancer had returned in his kidney, spine, brain and lungs.
Announcing the news of his death last month, a spokesman for his employer Talk said: “We are sad to announce that James Whale MBE died earlier today, aged 74, following a lengthy battle with cancer.
“As a broadcasting legend for over 50 years, James will be missed by so many at TALK and the wider News UK family.”
James began his career in the early 1970s when he pioneered a new kind of radio in Britain, the late night shock jock phone in.
By the late 1980s, the James Whale radio show had become a cultural phenomenon, broadcasting every weekend on ITV.
The radio legend went on to become a household name, hosting programmes across ITV, Sky and the BBC, before moving to talkRADIO in 2016.
Talk’s Mike Graham said in a heartfelt tribute: “James Whale broke the rules, he shaped the airwaves, and did it all on his own terms.
“For millions, James wasn’t just a broadcaster. He was a companion, a provocateur, and a good friend that we’ll all never forget.
“God bless you, James. We’ll miss you.”
He added: “In 2006, after surviving kidney cancer, James launched Kidney Cancer UK, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds.
“In 2024, James was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours, recognising his extraordinary contribution to broadcast and charity.”
Tributes poured in for the star, with Jeremy Kyle hailing James a “fearless legend”.
The radio legend was diagnosed with stage-four kidney cancer in 2020, and spoke openly about the final stages of his terminal battle.
A year later, on his 70th birthday, James announced his engagement to Nadine Lamont-Brown, before marrying her in October that year.
He had two kids with his ex-wife Melinda Maxted, James and Peter, before she herself was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.
Melinda died in May 2018, just three months after James made the announcement of her diagnosis.
Earlier this year, James told viewers that his condition had worsened.
Explaining that treatment was no longer working, he admitted he would “be lucky to make it to Christmas“.
He said: “I’m at the end of my cancer journey. There is no treatment I can have anymore.”
suppliedThe broadcast legend was laid to rest today at a funeral he planned himself[/caption]
w8mediaThe funeral is being held today in Kent at the St. Nicholas Church in Grafty Green[/caption]
Shutterstock EditorialJames launching ‘Britain’s Biggest Curry Party’ at Le Raj Restaurant, Surrey, in 2007[/caption]
PAJames Whale after being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
