Celebrity Big Brother star James Whale rushed to intensive care as he battles cancer
CELEBRITY Big Brother star James Whale spent the festive period in intensive care as he continues to battle cancer.
The TV and radio legend, who took part in the reality show in 2016, was diagnosed with stage-four kidney cancer four years ago.
He has defied the odds and bravely fought off the disease despite fears he wouldn’t see another Christmas.
However, the 73-year-old was tested once again when he was rushed to hospital with the flu last week.
He was discharged from ICU today and has returned home to recover.
His relieved wife Nadine told fans: “After a worrying week I am happy to report that @THEJamesWhale is out of ICU and back at home, having batted off the Grim Reaper yet again.
“This time he tried with a bout of Influenza A, but without success.
“Our hero is home for NYE.”
Powerhouse presenter James has been a staple of the airwaves for 50 years.
He was awarded an MBE in the 2023 King’s New Year Honours List for his outstanding contribution to broadcasting.
James celebrated the milestone with hundreds of pals at an £80,000 bash in Mayfair – paid for by millionaire Charlie Mullins and organised by his pals Chuck Thomas and Andre Walker.
He also received the first-ever TRIC Recognition Award for his outstanding work across 50 years.
His late-night series, the James Whale Show, which was broadcast live simultaneously on Radio Aire in Leeds and ITV in the 1980s, made the genre famous.
James first detected his kidney cancer back in 2020 but it spread to his spine, brain and lungs during the coronavirus pandemic.
The 12 signs of kidney cancer you must never ignore – as HALF of cases caught too late
Kidney cancer, also called renal cancer, is one of the most common in the UK.
Generally it affects people in their 60s or 70s, and is quite rare in the under-50s.
If it’s found early it can often be cured, but this may not be possible if it’s diagnosed after it has spread beyond the kidneys.
Symptoms include:
- a persistent pain in your lower back or side, just below your ribs
- a lump or swelling in your side (although kidney cancer is often too small to feel)
- blood in your pee
- extreme tiredness
- loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss
- high blood pressure
- high temperature
- night sweats
- swollen neck glands
- bone pain
- coughing up blood
- in men – swelling in the testicles
The exact cause of kidney cancer is unknown, but some things can increase your chances of getting it, including:
- obesity – a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more (use the healthy weight calculator to find your BMI)
- smoking – the more you smoke, the greater the risk
- high blood pressure (hypertension)
- family history – you’re more likely to get kidney cancer if you have a close relative with it
- some inherited genetic conditions
- long-term dialysis – a treatment for chronic kidney disease where a machine does some of the jobs of the kidneys