Express columnist James Whale receives much deserved MBE

James Whale was given the award by Princess Anne (Image: Express)

Daily Express columnist James Whale said receiving an MBE from Princess Anne at Windsor Castle yesterday was the ­“pinnacle” of his career.

The veteran presenter, who is terminally ill with stage four kidney cancer, was recognised in the King’s New Year Honours List for services to broadcasting and charity.

Speaking after the investiture ceremony, James said: “I think I’ve been very different for quite some time. I’m not exactly establishment.

“But when you’ve been doing something as long as I have you’re bound to get noticed eventually. Really, it was the pinnacle of my career.

“But the whole thing was also totally unreal. Windsor Castle is stunning.”

He added that Princess Anne told him she didn’t watch much television, but said that they spoke warmly about cancer care and supporting patients.

He joked: “I was quite tired because it’s done alphabetically and obviously I’m a ‘W’.”

James, who attended the ceremony with second wife Nadine Lamont-Brown, borrowed a Bentley from his friend Charlie Mullins, the former owner of Pimlico Plumbers, for the big occasion.

He said: “We travelled in luxury. The number plate is ‘CH4RLE’ so everyone probably thought I was the King!”

James, 72, helped revolutionise radio shows by pioneering the concept of phone-ins during his long 50-year career in broadcasting.

He founded the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer, now part of Kidney Cancer UK, in 2006 after beating the disease for the first time.

The charity has since raised more than £4million to support kidney cancer patients.

Sadly, his own cancer returned in 2020 and has now spread to his spine and brain.

Currently on TalkRadio and TalkTV, James has written about the disease in his Monday Daily Express column.

He joined the Express as a weekly ­columnist in 2021.