RIP James Valentine, ABC Radio Sydney

Former ABC 702 Sydney presenter James Valentine passed away last night, surrounded by his family.

News of his death was announced on ABC 702 Sydney this morning.

James was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2024 and took time off air for treatment. He went back on air for a while, but the cancer returned. He retired in February this year.

In the early stages of his treatment, Valentine continued to do his afternoon show, not telling listeners about his condition until just before he had the operation. “I thought about telling the ABC Radio Sydney audience before [the operation], but I decided I’d only just come back to Afternoons. It’s generally a jolly show, so let’s have a good time there for a few months rather than shade that whole time with my disease,” he said on air at the time.

In February this year, James told James O’Loghlin, who had been presenting the show in his absence:

“This decision [to retire] 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... it’s time to say, come on, somebody else come and have a shot... I need to focus on… being with family and friends…”

James made the ABC Radio 702 Sydney afternoon shift his own over many years. He also presented breakfast for two years, before stepping back into the Afternoon shift to make way for Craig Reucassell.

James, a talented musician, began his media career as a youth television show presenter, before seeking a career in radio. After casual shifts on ABC2BL Sydney, he moved to ABC666 Canberra to hone his skills, before returning to his home town when he was offered the afternoon shift.

Known for his cheeky sense of humour, James would be chuckling to himself to know he has upstaged Kyle, Jackie, Christian, Jonesy, Amanda and other Sydney radio announcers on ratings day.

James is survived by his wife and children, who he often spoke about on air.