James Whale: thanks for the memories

I’m sorry to hear that radio presenter James Whale has died. He was 74 and had been ill for some time with cancer.

Over a 55-year broadcasting career, Whale worked for TalkSport, LBC, and various local BBC stations including BBC Radio Essex where he presented the breakfast programme for several years. Most recently he had a late night programme on Talk (formerly Talk Radio).

His outspoken views made him arguably the UK’s first ‘shock jock’ and one of the many subjects he had strong opinions about was smoking. He hated it, and when I was invited on his programmes I invariably got a verbal kicking, although I’m sure I wasn’t alone.

He once told me (on air) that I was charming but talked a load of rubbish. On another occasion he said, “I do wish you'd find a better outlet for your talents”.

For many years I quite enjoyed our jousts but two years ago, during a late night interview while I was holiday in Corfu (where it was 1.20 in the morning), he wouldn’t let me get a word in. And not content with shouting me down, he then retweeted a tweet by one of his listeners who had described me as a “twat”!!

For all that, I shall remember James Whale with affection because, as I noted in a previous blog post, many years ago, ‘I was disappointed when he left LBC. We can't afford to lose broadcasters of his experience and quality …’

RIP, James, and thanks for the memories.