Friends and former colleagues of James Valentine mourn death of much-loved ABC Sydney radio presenter | Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Broadcaster and saxophonist James Valentine has died, three months after retiring from ABC radio after hosting Sydney’s Afternoon for 25 years.

Valentine, 64, has been a fixture on the public broadcaster since joining ABC TV’s children’s Afternoon Show in 1987, after a decade playing in bands including The Models.

Valentine became a radio host 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 esophageal cancer and was taking time off to have surgery, saying he was “equally hopeful and terrified”.

He returned after treatment but left again last June when new tumors were discovered.

“James passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his adoring family,” Valentine’s family said in a statement.

“Throughout his illness James did this in his own way, and this continued until the moment he chose to do Voluntary Assisted Dying.”

“Both he and his family are grateful that he was given the option to leave on his own terms. He was as calm, dignified as ever, and somehow still made us laugh.”

Valentine said in February that for a while after he left, he thought about how he would tell audiences he was leaving. I appeared on the radio twice To reveal the details of his illness.

“This is sad news, absolutely sad news for me,” Valentine told the audience.

Valentine was loved for his creativity and offbeat sense of humor. Listeners loved his unique segments like “rant,” “petty crimes,” “this is what I live with,” and his conversations with comedian HG Nelson.

ABC chief executive Hugh Marks said Valentine had been a “trusted friend” to our Sydney listeners for generations.

“James exemplified the art of radio, bringing warmth, intelligence and humanity to radio,” Marks said.

“His style was never about confrontation or noise; it was always about connection. James transformed his territory on Sydney broadcast channels into a friendship zone and his daily presence will be deeply missed by his significant audience and all his colleagues at the ABC.”

Former Drive host and friend Richard Glover said he couldn’t think of anyone who “changed the tone of a city for as long as James”.

“It was a daily effort to get people to focus on life, ordinary life and how important and beautiful it is, and he did it every day for 25 years,” Glover said Thursday. he said.

“So as you sit and listen to the radio you think: ‘Wow, Sydneysiders are funny, lively, witty and amazing.

“He brought it out to people.”

Open social mediaformer Triple J and ABC Radio Sydney presenter Robbie Buck wrote this morning to “one of vale’s best”.

“The hilarious, irrepressible and incredibly sharp James Valentine has passed away. What a wonderful person we worked with. Thanks for the laughs, James. Godspeed.X”

Another former colleague Wendy Harmer said: “Dear, wise man. You will be greatly missed!”

Radio National presenter Jonathan Green said “I’ve never met anyone in radio with James’ sharpness and skill. Curiosity… and listening. You have no idea how few people in broadcasting actually listen. Talking to James was an exciting game of ping-pong. I loved that guy.”

Beyond broadcasting, James was a renowned saxophonist who recorded and toured with Jo Camilleri, Kate Ceberano, Wendy Matthews, and most importantly. Modelsappears on the band’s number one hits and tours with them in the US and Europe. He was also a member Jo Jo Zep And No Friends.

James continued to perform regularly around Sydney and at music festivals in Australia. As the host of ABC Jazz, he shared his passion for jazz with the audience. Optimistic Since the program launched in 2020.

Valentine was a film critic for Foxtel’s Showtime and a commentator on commercial TV.

Memorial arrangements and opportunities to honor James will be shared in the coming days.

He is survived by his wife Joanne and their two children Ruby and Roy.