James Whale admitted he will be ‘exceptionally lucky to make it to Christmas’ as he celebrated his 74th birthday with friends and family at the weekend.
The broadcaster is battling stage four kidney cancer that has spread to his spine, brain and lungs, and had previously said Christmas 2023 could be his last after stopping treatment.
Joined by fellow radio host Lizzie Cundy and his wife Nadine, James gave a health update while enjoying some drinks in the sun.
Explaining that whilst he is ‘feeling ok,’ he admitted that it ‘would be easier to have a heart attack’ in a candid confession.
When asked by Lizzie how he was doing, he responded: ‘I’m feeling ok. As people know I’m not about to die, but well, you never know do you.
‘I have had all my treatment so I’m giving you the low down on it.’
James added: ‘If I make it to Christmas I will be exceptionally lucky. Some times I think it will be easier just to have a heart attack and go.’
Last week he gave a devastating health update as he said he’s ‘at the end’ of his cancer journey and there are ‘no treatments left’.
Making the announcement on Monday, with his Talk co-host Ash Gould by his side, James shared that he wouldn’t be on the airwaves much longer and that his show may soon come to an end.
He said: ‘I’m at the end of my cancer journey. There is no treatment I can have anymore.’
He added: ‘I can’t tell you how grateful I am to Talk to actually let me on the air and sit next to Ash, which is a real pain in the butt, but I’ve been doing it for 25 years!’
James said his recent ill health had taken its toll on him due to a severe bout of flu which led to an intensive care stay.
Despite his health, James managed to joke: ‘It might actually be helping me, you never know, so I don’t let that cloud my judgment – but on the medication I am on, I’m all over the place.
‘I’m hoping to go on for another few weeks, few months but as soon as I can’t do the show anymore, I won’t.’