Veteran ABC radio presenter James Valentine has made the emotional announcement that he will retire from broadcasting after more than 30 years on air, following his ongoing battle with cancer. The beloved voice of ABC Radio Sydney revealed his decision during a special appearance on the station's Afternoons program, marking a significant moment in Australian broadcasting history.
A Difficult Decision for Health Reasons
During his appearance on 702 ABC Radio Sydney Afternoons on Monday, the 64-year-old presenter explained that he would not be returning to the microphone after his latest treatment for cancer. Valentine had been off air since June 2025 after being diagnosed with omentum cancer, which affects a layer of tissue over the stomach and intestines.
'It's sad news, it's definitely sad news for me,' Valentine told listeners. 'This decision has been hard for me to make, but look, I think my health is giving me a pretty clear message that it still might be a while until I could return and resume broadcasting.'
Focusing on Recovery and Family
The veteran broadcaster elaborated on his reasoning, stating: '[It] could still be another year or six months or so until I've got the energy or the strength to come back. I just think it's too long. I think it's time to say, come on, somebody else come and have a shot.'
He emphasised his need to prioritise his wellbeing, adding: 'I need to focus on getting better, on being with family and friends and making sure that I'm giving my health my best shot.'
A Distinguished Broadcasting Career
Valentine first joined the ABC in 1987 as a presenter for ABC children's television, before being scouted for ABC Radio Sydney, which was known as 2BL at the time. His distinctive voice and engaging style made him a fixture on the station for over three decades, becoming a trusted companion for listeners during their afternoon commutes.
Previous Cancer Battle and Treatment Decisions
The announcement comes nearly two years after Valentine first revealed his initial diagnosis of oesophageal cancer, which prompted him to take a leave of absence for treatment. At that time, doctors presented him with a difficult choice between major surgery to remove his oesophagus or removal of only the tumour, with Valentine opting for the latter approach.
He returned to broadcasting later that year, continuing his work until June when new tumours were discovered. Reflecting on his treatment decisions, Valentine wrote for the ABC: 'There may be debate as to whether the full removal might have prevented this, but given that the initial tumour may have been there for a while, undetected and asymptomatic, there's every chance that cancer cells have been out in my body for some time, looking for a place to call home, and the full surgery would not have prevented their spread.'
Life Beyond the Microphone
When not entertaining radio audiences, Valentine - a talented saxophonist - maintained an active musical career, performing with jazz bands at various gigs until last year. His dual passions for broadcasting and music created a unique professional identity that endeared him to generations of listeners.
A Fond Farewell to Listeners
ABC Radio Sydney will air a special retrospective on Friday featuring Valentine's best moments from his 25 years on the Afternoons program. The veteran broadcaster expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating: 'I wanted to capture what we made in those 25 years, look at the ways in which we pushed talkback into completely new territory.'
Since June, James O'Loghlin has been presenting the Afternoons slot, with ABC management yet to announce a permanent replacement for Valentine's position. The station's leadership faces the challenging task of finding a presenter who can continue Valentine's legacy of innovative talkback programming and genuine listener connection.
