Veteran Australian broadcaster James Valentine has announced his retirement from the ABC after an illustrious career spanning almost forty years, citing his ongoing battle with cancer as the primary reason for his departure.
End of an Era for Sydney Afternoons
Valentine, who has hosted the popular Sydney Afternoons program on ABC Radio for twenty-five years, made the emotional announcement live on air, explaining that his health requires his full attention. "This decision has been hard for me to make," Valentine stated, "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."
The broadcaster revealed that it could be another six months to a year before he might regain the energy and strength needed for the demanding role, leading him to conclude it was time to step aside permanently. "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," he told listeners.
A Career Defined by Creativity and Humour
James Valentine first joined the ABC in 1987, initially hosting the Afternoon Show for children on ABC television. His career began in the music industry during the 1980s, where he played saxophone with notable Australian bands including The Models, and performed alongside artists like Jo Camilleri, Wendy Matthews, and Kate Ceberano. He continues to perform with the James Valentine Quartet in Sydney.
On radio, Valentine became beloved for his distinctive style, characterised by offbeat humour and innovative programming. Listeners frequently praised segments such as:
- The popular "rant" segment
- "Petty crimes" discussions
- "This is what I live with" features
- His regular conversations with comedian HG Nelson
His approach helped redefine talkback radio, pushing the format into new creative territories that resonated deeply with his audience.
Health Challenges and Public Disclosure
Valentine first publicly revealed his oesophageal cancer diagnosis in 2024 during a live broadcast, describing himself as "equal parts hopeful and terrified." The cancer was discovered after he experienced choking and retching while eating curry at a party, leading to a gastroscopy that revealed a 4cm tumour where his oesophagus meets his stomach.
After taking time off for surgery and treatment, Valentine returned to broadcasting only to leave again in June when new tumours were discovered. He had been contemplating how to break the news of his permanent departure to his loyal listeners, having previously been open about his health struggles on air.
Listener Reaction and Legacy
The announcement prompted an outpouring of emotion from listeners, who called and texted fill-in host James O'Loghlin to express their sadness, with many becoming emotional during the broadcast. Drive presenter Thomas Oriti reported being overwhelmed with messages from listeners, noting he could have filled his entire program with their tributes.
Valentine expressed his hope that his departure would allow someone new to bring fresh energy to the program. "Come and have a go at this marvellous shift and do what you can with it," he said, "that is just what's so beautiful about Afternoons – no restrictions. It's kind of infinite."
To celebrate his remarkable twenty-five year tenure, longtime producer Jennifer Fleming is preparing a special two-hour retrospective of the show to air on Friday. Valentine described this as an opportunity to "capture what we made in those 25 years, look at the ways in which we pushed talkback into completely new territory."
Throughout his career at the ABC, Valentine also presented on Breakfast and Mornings programs, establishing himself as one of Australia's most recognisable and respected broadcasting voices. His retirement marks the end of a significant chapter in Australian radio history.
