Australian ABC host and rock musician James Valentine dies at 64 after choosing assisted death
James Valentine, a longtime ABC radio and TV host in Australia and a saxophonist who rose to fame with Jo Jo Zep and the Models, died at 64 in Sydney after opting for voluntary assisted dying two years after an esophageal cancer diagnosis. His family said he died peacefully at home, noting he “did it his way” and remained calm and humorous. Valentine hosted The Afternoon Show on ABC TV (1987–1990) and spent more than 25 years with 702 ABC Sydney before retiring due to illness. He was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame as a member of the Models in 2010.