James Whale will return to late nights on talkRADIO starting this Wednesday, it has been announced.

The veteran broadcaster, who turned 70 last month, previously presented the 10pm to 1am slot on the station between 1995 and 2008.

After a stint at rivals LBC, Whale returned to talkRADIO in 2016 with a show in the 7pm to 10pm slot but will now return to his "spiritual home" of late night this week.

"Nearly 50 years ago I started my radio life with Metro Radio in Newcastle and because I had what they described as a 'late night voice' they put me on at 10 o'clock at night," Whale said.

"I moved around radio stations and then eventually was asked by Yorkshire Television to do something similar for late night TV, which brought me to talkRADIO in the mid 90s and then to talkSPORT and now back to talkRADIO.

"I'm so delighted to be going back to my spiritual home on late night radio to end my career, thank you talkRADIO, thank you Wireless.

"The company has looked after me since I was re-diagnosed with kidney cancer and for that I really can never thank them enough."

Dennie Morris, director of programmes at the station, added: "James is the godfather of speech and it's a privilege and pleasure to return him to his rightful home.

"He is a giant of radio, and broadcasting to the nation in spite of his diagnosis reinforces what a true radio professional and amazing man he really is."

As part of the changes, current late-night host Cristo Foufas will take over Weekend Breakfast.