Express columnist James Whale was laid to rest this afternoon (Monday, September 8) following his death aged 74 after a lengthy battle with cancer. James’ broadcasting career spanned six decades, and many famous faces, as well as family members, attended his funeral, which was held in Maidstone, Kent.

Among the celebrities at the event were GB News host Eamonn Holmes, who wore a black suit and tie with a white shirt for the sad occasion. He was pictured in his mobility chair on the grounds of the medieval church of St Nicholas paying his respects in black aviator sunglasses. Other stars who attended the send-off included Bros singer Matt Goss, TalkTV host Jeremy Kyle and comedian Boby Davro.

Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage donned a dark navy suit for the funeral and was pictured walking to the service alongside presenter Lizzie Cundy, who wore large black sunglasses, a hat and a matching black dress. Other mourners included actor Christopher Biggins and soul legend Lee John from the group Imagination.

Nearly 200 mourners, including Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, packed St Nicholas’ Church in Boughton Malherbe, near Whale’s Kent home, spilling over into the churchyard.

James was buried on a woven wool coffin, carried into the stunning Grade II-listed church to When Will I Be Famous by Bros. Later singer Matt Goss serenaded mourners with In The Wee Small Hours and Unforgettable. Braveheart actor James Cosmo gave a reading as did MP Tom Tugendhat.

Following the service, James’ family and late wife Nadine Lamont-Brown invited those in attendance to honour the presenter at his favourite local pub.

Nadine said during her heartfelt speech about her late husband: “I first met James seven years ago, and although our time together was short, it was truly wonderful despite his illness, and it is a testament to the fact that it is possible to find true, deep love late in life.

“We laughed together a lot, cried, shared our hopes and fears and he instantly became my best friend – even though he could be annoying at times.”

She added: “James was a man who stirred emotions, controversial, diplomatic, but authentic, he said what he felt. He never made a fuss, even towards the end. I am so proud to be us wife.”

A heartbroken Nadine also said James would be buried in the same suit he wore when he received his MBE.

She closed off her tribute saying: “There will never be a day when I don’t miss him I but look forward to the day when we see each other again.”

James’ brother, Keith, an Anglican vicar who took the service, told mourners: “He lived to broadcast. It energised him. When he went to work he looked so much better.”

He talked moving about how his older brother left school with one CSE in religious studies because he was dyslexic but was extraordinarily bright despite being abandoned by education.

“His dyslexia was never recognised when he was young. He was ‘word blind’ and ‘stupid’ so he left school at 15 to get a job, he said. “And from that he became an MBE and changed the face of the work he did. His professional impact was enormous.”

Other family members, including James two sons Peter and James Jr, also paid tribute.

Afterwards the veteran journalist was carried from the church through an arch of bows and buried in an “English churchyard under an English sky” outside the church as had been his final wish. An archer let fly three ‘whistling arrows’ as his body coffin was lowered into the ground.

With endless good humour and stoicism, he documented his struggle in the pages of this newspaper and via a popular podcast, Tales of the Whales, with Nadine, his second wife whom he married in October 2021.

He penned a final, posthumous column for the Daily Express opening with the line: “If you’re reading this then I’m dead.” Readers compared it to Spike Milligan’s famous headstone inscription: “I told you I was ill.”

In it, he wrote movingly: “There’s a quiet spot near some trees where I hope people will come and visit me. It’s a tiny church. When Nadine rang, the warder told her: ‘He’d better be quick, it’s filling up fast!’ But what a privilege being buried in England. Under an English sky (and, yes, with English rain).”