James Whale

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  Opinionated but always entertaining broadcaster James Whale has attracted a cult following throughout his career as a radio and television presenter. His unique and controversial broadcasting style has been copied over the years but never equalled, with his notorious late night phone-ins characterised by outspoken confrontations with callers.
  
  With a career that has spanned over 30 years, James originally trained as an actor, but started on his road to fame when he hatched the idea of installing a DJ at Topshop on Oxford Street, which still continues. He then joined Metro Radio in Newcastle and broke into television with shows including The James Whale Debate.
  
  After moving back to London to present Whale On, for LWT, 1995 saw the launch of the hugely popular James Whale Show which ran for ten years on TalkSport with audiences of over 3 million. James was famously sacked from the show after 13 years for urging listeners to elect Boris Johnson as Mayor of London. Even now, TalkSport admits that this was the worst decision they have made and have since tried to entice James back to his "natural home".
  
  Currently, James presents a popular afternoon drive-time show on LBC, which he began in 1980, which has seen the listening audience figures double since his arrival. James, who is president of the Heritage Foundation, also started the charity, James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer www.jameswhalefund.org, after he lost a kidney to cancer several years ago.
  
  The charity seeks to help reduce the harm caused by kidney cancer by increasing knowledge and awareness, providing patient information and by supporting research into the causes, prevention and treatment of the disease. In addition to this, James has won three Sony Radio Awards and his first book, Bald on Top, was inspired by his premature baldness aged 18. He says: "I was "a head" of the trend, because being bald is now fashionable and is a sign of greatness." He also finished his latest book, Almost a Celebrity, in 2008, which chronicled a no-holds barred look at his career and life so far.
  
  His recent work includes appearing as a regular contributor alongside Eamonn Holmes on Sky News flagship breakfast show, Sunrise. James can also be seen weighing in on current affairs on ITV's This Morning, Straight Talk with Andrew Neil and live political programme, This Week.

  www.jameswhalefund.org
  
  

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