Broadcaster James Whale says he has found peace over the prospect of dying even though he is not religious. The Daily Express columnist also spoke of his immense gratitude to those looking after him after entering hospice care as his stage-four cancer battle nears its end.

James’ second wife, Nadine Lamont-Brown, shared a photograph of the radio star in the Heart of Kent Hospice where he says he’s found peace and tranquility.

“I have told Nadine, I won’t go back to the hospital,” James told the Express. “I want to die somewhere peaceful and tranquil and this is the place for me. There’s no better. I’m lucky to be here.”

Paying tribute to the staff looking after him and other patients receiving palliative care, James continued: “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. I began to feel better immediately. More positive. I feel at peace here, even though I’m not a religious person.

“I know that 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.”

After 52 years, the veteran broadcaster has stepped back from his weekly TALK show and made his final Tales of the Whales podcast with Nadine last week after losing his voice. He has vowed to continue writing his Monday column for the Daily Express as long as possible.

Earlier this month, the 74-year-old conducted his last broadcast interview for TALK, speaking to his old friend, Reform leader Nigel Farage, in the garden of his Kent home. The interview made headlines when Mr Farage told James he thought he was on track to become the UK’s next prime minister.

“The team looking after me are among the most entertaining people I’ve ever met,” James continued. “Every afternoon they bring round cocktails or mocktails for patients, themed around an event. Last week, it was women’s football-related. Nothing is too much trouble. And my wife Nadine was even able to bring our dogs in to see me!”

James also revealed that his local hospice services cost £7.4million to run last year – a staggering 80% of which had to be fundraised. And they need £12million more to build a new hospice.

“That’s a ton more fundraising and a lot of cake sales,” he added. “In their catchment area by 2040, it’s estimated there will be more deaths than births. So try and help them if you can.”