Former ABC radio presenter James Valentine has died, according to ex-colleagues. Photograph: ABCView image in fullscreenFormer ABC radio presenter James Valentine has died, according to ex-colleagues. Photograph: ABCFriends and former colleagues of James Valentine mourn death of much-loved ABC Sydney radio presenterValentine, 64, officially retired in February after almost 40 years in radio, for treatment for a recurring cancer
Broadcaster and saxophonist James Valentine has died three months after retiring from ABC radio, after 25 years of hosting Sydney’s Afternoons program.
Valentine, 64, has been a fixture on the public broadcaster since he joined as host of the Afternoon Show for kids on ABC TV in 1987 after a decade of playing in bands including The Models.
Valentine became a radio presenter in 1999. He held the role for more than two decades, with a brief detour presenting ABC Radio Breakfast in 2022 and 2023.
In 2024 he revealed live on ABC radio that he had oesophageal cancer and was taking time off to undergo surgery, saying he was “equal parts hopeful and terrified”.
He returned after treatment only to leave again last June when new tumours were discovered.
“James passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family, who adored him,” Valentine’s family said in a statement. “Throughout his illness, James did it his way, which lasted all the way until the end when he made the choice to do Voluntary Assisted Dying.” “Both he and his family are grateful he was given the option to go out on his own terms. He was calm, dignified as always and somehow still making us laugh.”
Valentine said in February he had pondered for some time how to tell his audience he was leaving again after he had twice gone on the radio to reveal details of his disease.
“It’s sad news, it’s definitely sad news for me,” Valentine told listeners.
Valentine was beloved for his creativity and offbeat humour. Listeners loved his unique segments including “rant”, “petty crimes”, “this is what I live with” and conversations with comedian HG Nelson.
ABC managing director Hugh Marks said Valentine has been a “trusted companion” for generations of our Sydney listeners.
“James brought warmth, wit, and humanity to radio as an exemplar of radio craft,” Marks said.
“His style was never about confrontation or noise - it was always about connection. James turned his patch of the Sydney airwaves into a place of companionship, and his daily presence will be deeply missed by his significant audience, and all of his colleagues at the ABC.”
Former Drive presenter and and friend Richard Glover said he could not think of anybody else who “lifted the mood of a city over such a long time as James did”.
“It was a daily effort to get people to concentrate on life, ordinary life, and how important and beautiful it is, and he did that every day for 25 years,” Glover said on Thursday.
“So you end up sitting, listening to radio, thinking, ‘Gee, Sydneysiders are funny and lively and witty and gorgeous.
On social media, former Triple J and ABC Radio Sydney presenter Robbie Buck wrote this morning “vale to one of the greatest”.
“The joyous, irrepressible & unbelievably sharp James Valentine has left us. What a wonderful human to have worked with. Thanks for all the laughs James. Godspeed.X”
Another ex-colleague, Wendy Harmer, said: “Lovely, clever man. You will be so missed!”
Radio National host Jonathan Green said “I never met anyone in radio with James’s sharpness and skill. Curiosity … and listening. You have no idea how few people in broadcasting actually listen. Talking with James was a charged game of ping pong. Loved that man.”
Beyond broadcasting, James was a renowned saxophonist who recorded and toured with Jo Camilleri, Kate Ceberano, Wendy Matthews, and most notably The Models, featuring on the band’s two number-one hits and touring with them across the US and Europe. He was also a member of Jo Jo Zep and Absent Friends.
James continued to perform regularly around Sydney and at music festivals across Australia. He shared his passion for jazz with audiences as the presenter of ABC Jazz’s Upbeat since the program launched in 2020.
Valentine was a movie reviewer on Foxtel’s Showtime and a commentator on commercial TV.
Memorial arrangements and opportunities to honour James will be shared in the coming days.
He is survived by his wife Joanne and their two children, Ruby and Roy.
