James Valentine, a popular ABC radio and television host for more than 30 years and a rock musician, has died.
He was 64.
Valentine died by assisted suicide at home two years after he was diagnosed with cancer, according to multiple reports.
“James passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family, who adored him,” his family said in a statement.
“Throughout his illness, James did it his way, which lasted all the way until the day when he made the choice to do voluntary assisted dying,” the statement continued. “Both he and his family are grateful he was given the option to go out on his own terms. He was clam, dignified as always and somehow still making us laugh.”
Valentine was living in Sydney, Australia.
He was a saxophonist, and his music career took off in 1982 when he was a member of Jo Jo Zep. He also played with Model from 1984 to 1987 and Absent Friends from 1989 to 1990.
He was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame as a member of the Models in 2010.
Valentine hosted radio and television shows for ABC for nearly 40 years.
He hosted “The Afternoon Show” on ABC TV from 1987 through 1990.
He worked for 702 ABC Sydney for more than 25 years before retiring because of his illness.
He announced in March 2024 that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He returned to the airwaves in 2025 but left again after doctors discovered tumors in his omentum.
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