Clive James, Former ITV Host and TV Critic, Dies at 80

Also a poet, James battled cancer for a decade

clive james obit
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Clive James, a poet, television critic and former ITV presenter, has died after a decade-long battle with cancer. He was 80.

James passed away on Sunday at his Cambridge home, according to The Guardian. His funeral services have already taken place.

“Clive died almost 10 years after his first terminal diagnosis, and one month after he laid down his pen for the last time,” James’ agents said in a statement. “He endured his ever-multiplying illnesses with patience and good humour, knowing until the last moment that he had experienced more than his fair share of this ‘great, good world.’”

James was born Vivian James in 1939 in Sydney, Australia. He moved to London in the 1960s for college.

The prolific writer, who had also taken up poetry by this point, became the TV critic for The Observer in 1972. That led to him hosting his own ITV series, “Clive James on Television,” which aired from 1982-1997.

“We’re deeply saddened at the loss of Clive James,” an ITV spokesman told TheWrap in a statement. “He was a familiar presence on ITV from the 1970s onwards with original programmes that showcased his unique intelligence and wit. He will be sadly missed.”

James was diagnosed with cancer in 2010.

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