James Whale has openly admitted that he considered euthanasia following his tragic cancer diagnosis two years ago.
The 71-year-old radio host first battled kidney cancer in 2000 and the disease returned in 2020 before it spread to his brain, spine and lungs.
Speaking about his terminal diagnosis, James told The Express he thought it would be “easier” to go to Dignitas, a bereavement clinic in Switzerland.
In an interview with his wife, Nadine Lamont-Brown, he admitted he thinks about the impact his diagnosis will have on his loved ones.
“I’m terminally ill, it would have been easier anywhere,” he told the publication. “The reason I wanted to go to Dignitas was because I thought of others, not myself.”
Heartbreaking: James Whale has openly admitted he considered euthanasia following his tragic cancer diagnosis two years ago
However, James added that he was “glad” he didn’t make the decision as it gave him “two great years” with his wife Nadine.
Founded in 1998, Dignitas only accepts terminally ill or severely disabled patients.
Euthanasia is the deliberate termination of life to eliminate pain and suffering, with countries having different laws regarding this practice.
In Switzerland, it is legal to give someone the opportunity to commit suicide as long as the reason is not based on “self-interest”. In the UK, assisted suicide is illegal and carries a penalty of up to 14 years in prison.
Elsewhere in the interview, James opened up in a heartbreaking way about battling terminal cancer, admitting he doesn’t want to be uncomfortable like he is now “forever”.
The TV personality also reflected on his relationship with Nadine, saying he told her they had to “break up” about their romance when he first got cancer when they first started dating.
He said: “It was so unfair to her, so I said, ‘I think we should calm it down and not see each other,’ and she said, ‘Oh, that’s nice, so if I just’ got a terminal illness. , you won’t come back to see me, ‘so we moved on.’
They then married at Tenterden Town Hall in Kent in October 2021, surrounded by loved ones and Nadine said they didn’t have the ‘luxury’ time.
Health: The 71-year-old radio host first battled kidney cancer in 2000 and the disease returned in 2020 before it spread to his brain, spine and lungs
The wedding came 14 months after the radio host announced he was battling spinal, brain and kidney cancer, and three years after his first wife Melinda died of stage IV lung cancer in 2018.
James previously had just three months to live when he was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2000, twenty years before his second terminal diagnosis.
In January, James revealed his battle with steroids to fight cancer and said he was struggling with withdrawal symptoms.
If you suddenly stop using steroids, your adrenal glands, which produce key hormones for your body, can stop working, which can lead to extreme fatigue, nausea, dizziness and loss of appetite.
Cancer: James reflected on his terminal diagnosis and said he thought it would be “easier” to go to Dignitas’ grief clinic in Switzerland
He explained: “I’ve been at this for a while. They take almost all pain and make you feel great, but getting off is a different story.
My condolences to everyone else who is cold turkey on steroids. I seem to be done with it now, thank goodness, and it’s about clearing your body and giving it a break or you turn into Mr. Blobby.
“And let’s be honest, I was already halfway there!”
James also gave a heartbreaking speech at the British Curry Awards in London in November in which he said his chemotherapy was making it “hard to breathe”.
Relationship: However, James added that he was “happy” he didn’t make the decision as it gave him “two great years” with wife Nadine Lamont-Brown
He told the assembled guests: “I know that many of you will not like me, but I will not be there by this time next year. I have terminal cancer.
“As you may have heard, I have chemotherapy which makes it difficult for me to breathe, but I am fine. No problem.’
James also referred to his good friend Enam Ali MBE, who died in July after a two-year battle with cancer. The Epsom curry pioneer raised more than £2m for charity before his death.
He continued, “I’m in my 70s now and all I want to say is don’t waste your time on stupid things that don’t matter.”
Wedding: The couple (pictured in November) married at Tenterden Town Hall in Kent in October 2021, with Nadine saying they didn’t have the ‘luxury’ time
Source: Daily Mail
Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
