James Valentine Announces Retirement from ABC After Four Decades
In a deeply emotional announcement, veteran broadcaster James Valentine has confirmed his retirement from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation after an illustrious career spanning almost forty years. The decision comes as Valentine continues his battle with oesophageal cancer, a diagnosis he courageously shared with listeners last year.
A Difficult Decision for Health Reasons
Speaking on ABC Sydney's Afternoons program, Valentine explained that his health had made the decision inevitable. "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," he told listeners. "[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."
Valentine emphasised his need to prioritise recovery and family, stating: "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." The broadcaster had previously taken leave for surgery in 2024 after revealing his diagnosis live on air, describing himself as "equal parts hopeful and terrified." He returned briefly before departing again last June when new tumours were discovered.
Twenty-Five Years of Sydney Afternoons
Valentine's retirement marks the end of an era for ABC Radio Sydney, where he has hosted the Afternoons program for twenty-five years. His departure prompted an outpouring of emotion from loyal listeners, many of whom called and texted fill-in host James O'Loghlin in tears. Listeners highlighted their favourite segments that defined Valentine's unique approach:
- The popular "rant" segments where Valentine would passionately address various topics
- The humorous "petty crimes" discussions that became audience favourites
- The revealing "this is what I live with" segments that created intimate connections
- His memorable conversations with comedian HG Nelson
Valentine reflected on his approach to the program, noting: "That is just what's so beautiful about Afternoons – no restrictions. It's kind of infinite." He expressed hope that someone new would bring fresh energy to the timeslot, saying: "Come and have a go at this marvellous shift and do what you can with it."
A Career Spanning Broadcasting and Music
Valentine's career with the ABC began in 1987 when he joined as host of the Afternoon Show for children on ABC TV. This followed a successful decade as a musician, where he played saxophone with prominent Australian bands including The Models. Throughout the 1980s, he collaborated with notable artists:
- Jo Camilleri
- Wendy Matthews
- Kate Ceberano
- Pseudo Echo
- Stephen Cummings
Even during his broadcasting career, Valentine maintained his musical passion, performing regularly in Sydney with the James Valentine Quartet. His versatility saw him host various ABC programs including Breakfast and Mornings before settling into his iconic Afternoons role.
Health Journey and Legacy
The broadcaster revealed that his cancer was discovered after he "choked and retched" while eating curry at a party. A subsequent gastroscopy revealed a 4cm tumour where his oesophagus meets his stomach. Valentine had been contemplating how to announce his permanent departure after twice sharing details of his illness with listeners.
"It's sad news, it's definitely sad news for me," Valentine acknowledged during his announcement. His longtime producer, Jennifer Fleming, is preparing a two-hour retrospective of the show to air on Friday. Valentine explained: "I wanted to capture what we made in those 25 years, look at the ways in which we pushed talkback into completely new territory."
The emotional response from the ABC community was immediate and profound. Drive presenter Thomas Oriti reported being overwhelmed with texts from listeners, noting he could have filled his entire program with their messages. Valentine's creativity, offbeat humour, and genuine connection with his audience have cemented his legacy as one of Australian broadcasting's most distinctive voices.
