James Whale, 71, confirms he will remain in hospital following blood transfusion

James Whale has confirmed he will remain in hospital following a recent series of blood transfusions as he battles cancer of the brain, spine, kidneys and lungs. 

The pioneering broadcaster discussed 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 a blood transfusion carried out during his current stay did not go according to plan, meaning he will continue receiving medical supervision for an extended period of time. 

Concern: James Whale has confirmed he will remain in hospital following a recent series of blood transfusions as he battles cancer of the brain, spine, kidneys and lungs

He told Twitter followers on Monday evening: ‘Sorry to say guys, a lot of people asking how my blood transfusions went. Unfortunately they didn’t do the trick. 

‘Apparently I have lungs full of blood clots so they’re keeping me in to clear them out and hopefully it won’t take too 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 I could start a new trend.’  

Still smiling: The presenter also shared a photo from his hospital bed (top image), alongside a self-deprecating caption (pictured)

Devastating: The TV and radio presenter discussed his terminal condition during a rare public appearance at the British Curry Awards in November (pictured)

TalkTV and talkRADIO presenter Whale gave a heartbreaking speech at Evolution London on November 28, while appearing at the annual British Curry Awards with wife Nadine Lamont-Brown. 

He told assembled guests: ‘I know a lot of you won’t like me, but this time next year I won’t be here. I have terminal cancer.

‘As you might be able to hear, I am having chemotherapy which makes it harder for me to breathe, but I’m OK. Don’t worry.’ 

Whale also referenced his good friend Enam Ali MBE who died in July after a two year battle with cancer. The Epsom curry pioneer raised over £2million for charity before he died. 

He continued: ‘I am in my 70s now and I just want to say don’t waste your time on stupid things that don’t matter.’ 

Side by side: The presenter attended the event with his wife Nadine, who wore a glitzy sequinned gown while Whale cut a dashing figure in a blue patterned waistcoat

Posing on the red carpet, Nadine wore a glitzy sequinned gown while Whale cut a dashing figure in a blue patterned waistcoat, blue blazer and orange-tinted glasses.

The couple married one another in a romantic ceremony at Tenterden Town Hall in Kent in October 2021.

The wedding came 14 months after the radio host revealed that he is battling spine, brain and kidney cancer, and three years after his first wife Melinda died from Stage 4 lung cancer.

He was previously given just three months to live when he contracted kidney cancer in 2000.

Whale announced his engagement on Twitter, telling fans at the time that he would reveal ‘to whom later’ while keeping Lamont-Brown’s identity a mystery.

Sharing the news, he wrote: ‘Breaking news over this weekend of my birthday I have to announce that I have become engaged- to whom I will reveal later!’ 

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Tough time: Broadcaster Whale, seen in 2018, has revealed he is battling multiple forms of cancer

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 thought 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.

Devastating: Whale confirmed his diagnosis in 2020, twenty years after his first cancer diagnosis 

She said at the time: ‘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.

‘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.’ 

She added: ‘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.

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’ 

Whale had hoped Melinda could overcome the prognosis, like he did 18 years prior 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.

His love: Whale planted a kiss on his beloved wife while walking the red carpet together at the British Curry Awards in November