Suzie Kennedy reflects on her friend James Whale’s funeral

Yesterday we said goodbye to our friend, radio and TV presenter, James Whale. In today’s divisive world, people are so often labelled as “goodies” or “baddies,” judged by those who never truly knew them. When James passed, I saw an outpouring of love, but also some cruel comments, which sadly sums up our twisted world. What struck me yesterday was the diversity of people who gathered. All so different, and unique, yet united by one thing: James loved them, and they loved James.

I have so many fun memories with James. He challenged me about God, often dismissing faith as “rubbish” because of the hypocrisy he had seen from Christians and so-called “do-gooders” who caused him pain. Yet he once told me I was the only Christian who could ever make him believe in God, something I will always treasure.

READ MORE: Liam Payne’s death reminded me of how we all need to find our identity in Christ

As we sat in church, listening to Matt Goss sing Unforgettable and Shirley Happiness lift up Hallelujah, I was reminded that our relationship with God is deeply personal. It is not for us to decide who is ‘Good or Bad’. Only God sees the heart.

James’ brother read scripture, his granddaughter, wife and son spoke so beautifully of his kindness, and many shared stories of his remarkable work, especially in founding Kidney Cancer UK

James’ brother read scripture, his granddaughter, wife and son spoke so beautifully of his kindness, and many shared stories of his remarkable work, especially in founding Kidney Cancer UK, now the leading kidney cancer charity. Though he never boasted his charity work, including removing his name so he didn’t get the glory for founding the charity, James used his legendary broadcasting platform to help countless others.

What I will remember most is the kindness he showed me, the human connection that went far beyond the public persona.

What I will remember most is the kindness he showed me, the human connection that went far beyond the public persona. Yesterday reminded me that when we leave this earth, some will love us and others may not, but what truly matters are the lives we touched and the people who knew the real us. Just as God does.

READ MORE: Kathy Keller on life after the death of her late husband Timothy Keller

I believe the funeral was a deeply biblical service and gathering. I was criticised online for “sitting next to Nigel Farage” in a photo. But when people questioned why Jesus sat with those society condemned, he answered: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:31–32)

Think of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1–10). He was a tax collector, despised, rejected, seen as corrupt. Yet Jesus didn’t avoid him. He looked up in the tree and said, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”

The crowd muttered, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But that table became the place of transformation. Zacchaeus stood and declared, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor.” The way of the Kingdom isn’t through separation or superiority. It’s through breaking bread with those we least expect. Because grace doesn’t begin at a distance, it begins at the table.