Former long-time 702 ABC Sydney host James Valentine has died at home aged 64 using voluntary assisted dying following a cancer battle.

'James passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family, who adored him,' Valentine's family said in a statement.

'Throughout his illness, James did it his way, which lasted all the way until the end when he made the choice to do Voluntary Assisted Dying.'

'Both he and his family are grateful he was given the option to go out on his own terms. He was calm, dignified as always and somehow still making us laugh.'

He is survived by his wife Joanne and his children Ruby and Roy. 

Valentine announced in March 2024 that he had oesophageal cancer and took leave from the ABC to receive treatment.

He retired from the station in February to focus on his ongoing treatment.

A member of 1980s Australian new wave band Models, Valentine hosted ABC radio and television shows for three decades. 

"I could ask callers to make stuff up, to invent stories, to go with any sort of fanciful notion of the city that we had going on," Valentine said.

"What a huge buzz of enjoyment I got when you called in, in response to something I'd suggest."