James Whale RIP

[Inbox]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4ngdlgxwy8o

[Stick Legs]

Many people say they don't give a toss.

James Whale meant it.

Always liked that.

RIP.

[DodgyGeezer]

that's sad news. I did like the curmudgeonly old git.

[scenario8]

I appreciate these things are written well in advance and occasionally dusted off for edits, presumably by journos who have ambitions for bigger and better things but that obituary on the BBC was far less pompous than I expected it to be.

A decisive chap and no doubt many will be unmoved by his passing but he was quite the character and certainly made an impact in broadcasting.

Sad news for those who know him, of course.

[megaphone]

Have listened to him a lot over the years, polished broadcaster, often controversial which I liked. RIP.

[croyde]

What was the programme he had on telly in the 90s during the explosion of satellite and cable TV channels?

Late night show it was.

I liked him, he had been ill for a while.

[vxr8mate]

The James Whale Radio Show (but on telly).

Remember this being on when I got in all blurry eyed from my Friday night out.

Good times.

[Getragdogleg]

I thought he was already dead earlier this year or late last ? Or was that another Radio presenter that I have mixed him up with?

[DodgyGeezer]

Getragdogleg said:

I thought he was already dead earlier this year or late last ? Or was that another Radio presenter that I have mixed him up with?

Steve Wright died earlier in the year

[Getragdogleg]

DodgyGeezer said:

Steve Wright died earlier in the year

I knew about Steve Wright, this was another dj/radio personality, i thought it was jw but apparently not.

Possibly a bit of an arse? I dont know, probably dreamed it or something.

[Galibier]

DodgyGeezer said:

Steve Wright died earlier in the year

Feb 2024 - I also thought it was this year. Mad.

[DodgyGeezer]

Galibier said:

DodgyGeezer said:

Steve Wright died earlier in the year

Feb 2024 - I also thought it was this year. Mad.

[Tye Green]

Many years ago James Whale was the host of the late night phone-in show on Metro Radio in the north east and in those analogue days there were no mobile phones or delays on the broadcast etc - it was live. Also, after the switchboard had done a simple check of the topic you wanted to discuss you would be put on hold awaiting his availability, they didn’t call you back so the caller had control of the line until they hung up.

It was also the era of punk rock which he hated and he also hated students too. Punk rock was a contentious topic at the time and callers would often say “hi James, what do you think of punk rock”?. Some were genuine callers but many were just pissed and wanted a bit of fun cos he was game for a row , but he wouldn’t know at the start of each call what the motive of the caller was.

One night, a group of students decided to hi jack the show and they called in blocking all the incoming lines to the studio and every time he went to the next caller it was “ hi James, i just wanted to know what you think about punk rock” followed by those in the background