TERMINALLY ill James Whale has heartbreakingly admitted he feels "happy to go now" after moving into a hospice.
The broadcaster, 74, previously confessed he "probably won't be here next week" after re-locating to the end of life facility.
James has terminal kidney cancer and recently celebrated his "last birthday" surrounded by loved ones after stopping his treatment.
Back in May, the TALK radio host revealed his long-running programme could be coming to an end as he reached the final stage of his battle.
James was first diagnosed with kidney cancer back in 2000, and initially underwent successful treatment.
However, he revealed in 2020 that the disease had returned and spread to his brain, lungs and spine.
He has now admitted he "feels at peace" in his new facility after being told he has weeks to live.
The charity fundraiser wrote in a new newspaper column: "What's surprised me most is how much better in myself I feel since finally moving into a hospice near my home in Kent a week or so back."
He added in his piece for the Daily Express: "I began to feel better immediately. More positive.
"I feel at peace here, even though I'm not a religious person.
"I know I've reached the end of my life but I'm quite sanguine about it.
"Despite everything, I'm happy to go now and a lot of that is due to the people who work here, because they make dying as peaceful and pain-free as possible."
One of the country's most revered radio personalities, James has been in the business for 50 years and, in 2023, received the first ever TRIC Recognition Award for his outstanding work.
He's helped countless others too, having launched the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer in 2006 – now known as Kidney Cancer UK – the nation's leading specialist charity of its kind, after beating the illness two decades ago.
He then urged fans to support the hospice as he outlined the range of activities they plan for guests.
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Back in 2023, James told how he planned to have two funerals – so he could attend one of them.
Yet last month he gave a worrying update as he admitted he was struggling to talk and breathe.
Speaking on his podcast Tales of the Whales alongside his co-host wife Nadine in July, they spoke about his conditions.
He also admitted his speech has become very slow and he is forgetful, while suffering with painful pressure sores.
On the emotional recording, he said: "I can't breathe, I can't think, I can't talk.
"Anyway. Good morning. Welcome to Tales of the Whales, our weekly podcast. I have terminal 5 cancer. Can you get 5?"
Nadine explained: "You're getting quite tired, so from next week, we're restricting visitors to just very close friends and family."
He added: "The most tiring thing I found… I still can't hear very well, which is more frustrating than anything else.
"I've become very slow in my speech and then forgetful and everything else."
Talking about his pressure sores he said: "I'm tootling along, which is all you can do really, trying to get my breathing sorted and the mark on my bum."
He humbly asked: "People have to go through a lot worse, don't they? Do they?"
The poignant conversation concluded: "Anyway. I don't feel I can go on much more…
"The other thing is, my energy levels have gone completely.
"So I wish everybody well, and let us hope we go through these phases as quickly as we can."
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