As I live out my last days, my wife Lady W has collected these heartwarming tributes

I'm writing this from a very nice hospice. Not words I ever suspected I'd be sharing with you. But there we are. I'm comfortable and being very well looked after. It's quiet and Nadine's with me. Hospice care is one of the great secrets of the health service. People, quite naturally, don't really want to think about them or talk about them because, well...

Many are run and supported by charities and donations and cake sales and fundraising. But they perform such an important job when people are at their most vulnerable. And not just patients, but their families and friends too. They are marvellous. Next time you see a fundraiser for your local hospice, please try and support it if you can.

Anyway, I feel like I'm on assignment here! I'll keep going as long as I can.

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Lady W writes: Our friend Caroline Monk has been collecting tributes to James and wanted to share some of them. Strange? Not a bit of it. After all, why shouldn't he read them before he goes? Thanks Caroline. Here are four of them...

Businessman Theo Paphitis: "I have nothing but admiration for James Whales' charity work through Kidney Cancer UK, through which he has raised awareness and helped so many with their own health journeys. They broke the mould when they made James, and there's a good reason that he has lasted decades as a broadcaster on the airwaves."

Actor Shane Richie: "Love him or loathe him there's been no denying that the Whale was and will always be regarded as a one-off unique broadcaster. In the eighties, James moved the goalposts when it came to live TV... his late-night Friday talk show was the stuff of legend and is still regarded as a show that moved the parameters of British television. The US had Howard Stern, we had James Whale... There will never be another."

Broadcaster Eamonn Holmes: "I've known the controversial Shock Jock since the mid-eighties and, surprisingly, he was the most nervous interviewee I can ever remember! He made direct speech entertaining. With that he was ahead of his time. I'm just sorry he hasn't had more time."

Charlie Mullins: "There will never be another James Whale he is a real legend, a proper inspiration, and it should be Sir James Whale."

Actor James Cosmo: "James has been my good friend for many years. When we met he had recovered from kidney cancer. Instead of trying to forget his ordeal he started his own charity which has to date raised a huge amount of money for research. The public face is very different from the personal one. Charming, thoughtful and kind, an ideal friend. We will all be diminished by his absence."

PR and journalist Caroline Monk: "I used to listen to James Whale on Radio Aire as a kid, never imagining one day I'd be lucky enough to call him my friend. He inspired me to speak honestly, stand my ground, and not give a monkeys what anyone thinks. James is brave, brilliant, and one of a kind and I love him dearly as well as his wife Nadine, who is an absolute angel."

Singer Lee John: "What can I say about James Whale? If he was a song, it would be A Man For All Seasons - he has a positive energy that took on the world and created a wonderful atmosphere, but he's also a man who shows great positive love, kindness and support to all his friends."

TV personality Lizzie Cundy: "I've known James for over 25 years. I met him when he first got diagnosed with kidney cancer and he asked me to help with his charity. He then left me organising the whole lot, but I loved every minute of it.

"And he not only became a really great friend, he was like a father to me. He helped me through my divorce and was always there for me. Then we went on to work together for the last four years at TalkTV, which was an honour and a privilege. He is my strength and will always be like a father to me in my heart. I can't thank him enough for all his love, support and the help he gave me."

Dennie Morris, Director of Audio News Broadcasting at News UK: "James is the godfather of speech radio, and there will never be another like him."

Lady W adds: "I have only known James a short time, just four years out of our long lives, but it has been the best four years of my life. He is just such an amazing man and, although the last year or so has been a bit tragic with him being so ill, it's still been wonderful. I wouldn't change any of it for a second. I just love him to bits!"

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I made my last podcast with my darling Lady W a few days ago. Please do have a listen.

Nadine called me handsome on it so I can't think of a finer finish. Thank you to our amazing podcast producer Rob Oldfield and to everyone who has tuned in for an episode. We hope it's helped anyone affected by cancer. Au revoir.