James Whale (presenter)

Michael James Whale (13 May 1951 – 4 August 2025) was a British radio personality, television presenter and podcaster who gained initial prominence in the 1980s as the host of The James Whale Radio Show on Radio Aire in Leeds, which was simulcast on national television.

From 1995 to 2008 he hosted a night-time radio show on Talksport, followed by stints on LBC 97.3 and various BBC radio stations. Whale was the host of the podcast The James Whale Show and a night-time weekly radio show on talkRADIO. Whale was known as a presenter who was controversial and outspoken. In 2008, he was suspended by Talksport for urging listeners to vote for Boris Johnson in the upcoming London mayoral election. In 2018 he was suspended by talkRADIO pending an investigation for appearing to ridicule a guest, the journalist Nichi Hodgson, who was speaking on air about her experience of sexual assault. He was later reinstated.

He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2024 New Year Honours for services to broadcasting and charity.