Celebrity Big Brother star James Whale was rushed to intensive care just before the New Year after being hospitalised with the flu.

Daily Express columnist James Whale has been admitted to intensive care as he battles cancer. The Celebrity Big Brother star was hospitalised with flu over Christmas, spending the festive period in intensive care.

His wife shared the alarming news but confirmed that the 73-year-old is now back home recuperating.

She updated his fans online, stating: “After a worrying week I am happy to report that @THEJamesWhale is out of ICU and back at home, having batted off the Grim Reaper yet again.” She added: “This time he tried with a bout of Influenza A, but without success. Our hero is home for NYE.”

James was diagnosed with stage-four kidney cancer four years ago and continues to defy expectations despite concerns he wouldn’t see another Christmas.

In his latest column for the Express, James wrote: “I’ve spent the past week in hospital, some of it in intensive care, after falling foul of a horrific bout of seasonal flu – worse than Covid, or so my doctors told me. Thankfully, I’m feeling a lot better now, but it’s fair to say neither Lady W nor myself had much of a fun Christmas as a result.

He is battling stage four cancer (Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

“When you’re battling cancer, and your immune system is all over the place, seasonal coughs and colds can be lethal – and it nearly was, it’s very sobering not to be able to breathe without difficulty – so I’m extremely lucky I had some of the best care in the world, courtesy of St Bart’s Hospital in London.

“All too often, we hear about the worst of the NHS and, even though the oncology team at St Bart’s has kept me going since my kidney cancer returned in 2020, I’ve never hesitated to share both the good and the bad of my experiences with the health service.

“In any case, it’s nice to be able to write so positively about my experience. Even though I spent most of it feeling bloody awful, when I needed it – as always – the NHS was there for me. I know this isn’t everyone’s experience, but I was lucky.

“Watching staff at work, away from their own families, giving comfort and care to some of the sickest people in the capital, yours truly included, was deeply moving. We must never forget that at heart it is a caring profession and whatever we might occasionally think, no one goes into it to get rich. There’s been times over the past year when I wasn’t sure I would make it to Christmas, let alone 2025, so I’m delighted to still be here. So thank you, NHS!”

In April, while receiving his MBE, he confessed he feared his days were numbered. He has been battling cancer since 2000 when he first had a kidney removed.

In 2020, the TalkTV presenter revealed that the cancer had aggressively returned, affecting his remaining kidney, spine, brain, and lungs. Speaking to PA news agency after his MBE award, he confessed he was surprised he had been able to attend. He said: “I didn’t think I’d be here to receive this. But who knows?

“I’ve been terminally ill now for nearly four years. Twenty five years ago I had the original cancer.

“So I might make the end of this year, I might not. I might be around next year.”

James’ wife offered an update on his health (Image: Getty)

Despite the grim prognosis, he maintained a positive outlook, stating: “I think you’ve got to be positive. I know it’s getting a bit worse than it was.

“You just have to go with the flow really. You have to do that to get through it. One in two of us is going to go on this journey until they find a cure. They will find a cure. But you have to make the most of it.”