‘She was an inspiration whose legacy will live on’: Prince William and Kate pay tribute to ‘unfalteringly brave’ Dame Deborah James after her death aged 40 - as cancer sufferers credit her campaigning for saving thousands of lives

  • Campaigner Dame Deborah James, 40, has passed away following her five-year battle with bowel cancer 
  • The former deputy head teacher turned BBC podcaster, from London, was diagnosed in December 2016 
  • Deborah, parent to Hugo, 14, and Eloise, 12, with husband Sebastien, was an inspiration to millions

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge today paid tribute to Dame Deborah James who died from bowel cancer last night aged just 40 and called her an 'inspirational and unfalteringly brave woman whose legacy will live on'.

Prince William cleared his diary and travelled to her parents' home in Woking, Surrey, in mid-May to perform an honours ceremony at a tea party celebrating her extraordinary life.

The second in line to the throne and his wife had been deeply moved by her campaigning and bravery and paid a moving tribute to the mother-of-two, who is is survived by her two children Hugo, 14, and Eloise, 12, and her husband Sebastien.

In a tweet signed 'W&C', the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said: 'We are so sad to hear the heartbreaking news about Dame Deborah. Our thoughts are with her children, her family and her loved ones. Deborah was an inspirational and unfalteringly brave woman whose legacy will live on'. 

What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?

According to Bowel Cancer UK figures, more than 41,200 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK.  

Such tumours usually develop from pre-cancerous growths, called polyps.

Symptoms include:

  • Bleeding from the bottom
  • Blood in stools
  • A change in bowel habits lasting at least three weeks
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Extreme, unexplained tiredness
  • Abdominal pain

Most cases have no clear cause, and can be at any age, however, people are more at risk if they: 

  • Are over 50
  • Have a family history of the condition
  • Have a personal history of polyps in their bowel
  • Suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease
  • Lead an unhealthy lifestyle  

Treatment usually involves surgery, and chemo- and radiotherapy.

More than nine out of 10 people with stage one bowel cancer survive five years or more after their diagnosis.

This drops significantly if it is diagnosed in later stages. 

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Britain is grieving Dame Deborah today as she used her final message to the world to urge people to 'take risks, love deeply - and check your poo - it could save your life' and her bereft family posted a video of her dancing in the sunset following her death aged just 40.

The campaigner's Bowelbabe fund surged past £6.8million in the hours after it was revealed the mother-of-two had passed away as people described how her tireless campaigning while she battled terminal cancer herself had saved their lives. 

She came to public prominence when she co-hosted the You, Me And The Big C podcast with Lauren Mahon and Rachael Bland. BBC newsreader Ms Bland died in September 2018, also aged 40, from breast cancer.

Dame Deborah's death was announced on Instagram last night in a post that revealed that she was surrounded by her family after months of end of life care at her parents' house in Surrey. In a poignant message to her 1million followers, it said that Dame Deborah's final message to them was: 'Find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope. And finally, check your poo – it could just save your life'.

The message was accompanied by the always glamourous teacher turned broadcaster dancing on a balcony on holiday as the sun set behind her, as friends described her as a 'warrior' who 'taught us how to live and taught us how to die'.

Today there were tributes from all over the world including Boris Johnson, who said: 'What an inspiration she was to so many. The awareness she brought to bowel cancer and the research her campaigning has funded will be her enduring legacy. Because of her, many many lives will be saved.’

And cancer survivors thanked her for saving them. Teresa Whitfield was watching breakfast TV when she heard Dame Deborah describing her symptoms, which inspired Teresa to go to her GP immediately.

She said today: 'Without her campaigning I wouldn't have kept going back to me GP. She triggered something in me. And I'm now cancer free. She did save my life. I can only say thank you. Without her I don't think I would be here today'.

Dame Deborah's husband is yet to speak out about her death. But her mother Heather has said: 'My heart is broken. Love you forever'.

Many shared her final podcast from last month, where she signed off in tears, saying: 'I suppose that's it from me. I'm pleased that I have got to the point where I can say it and we'll see each other again, somewhere, dancing. And until then, please please enjoy life because it is so precious. All I want now is more time and more life. And check your poo. Come on. I can't leave on any other words'. 

In May Debirah James was made a dame by the Duke of Cambridge with William praising her for 'going above and beyond to make a very special memory'. Her two children Hugo, 14, and Eloise, 12, and her husband Sebastien were by her side

In May Debirah James was made a dame by the Duke of Cambridge with William praising her for 'going above and beyond to make a very special memory'. Her two children Hugo, 14, and Eloise, 12, and her husband Sebastien were by her side

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge today paid tribute to Dame Deborah and called her an 'inspirational and unfalteringly brave woman whose legacy will live on'.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge today paid tribute to Dame Deborah and called her an 'inspirational and unfalteringly brave woman whose legacy will live on'.

Dame Deborah James was an inspiration to millions and saved many lives including Teresa Whitfield, right, who said that she is only alive today because of an appearance on TV
Dame Deborah James was an inspiration to millions and saved many lives including Teresa Whitfield, right, who said that she is only alive today because of an appearance on TV

Dame Deborah James was an inspiration to millions and saved many lives including Teresa Whitfield, right, who said that she is only alive today because of an appearance on TV

'And a few final things from Deborah..."find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope. And finally, check your poo - it could just save your life,"' the post read

'And a few final things from Deborah...'find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope. And finally, check your poo - it could just save your life,'' the post read

The campaigner's Bowelbabe fund surged past £6.8million in the hours after it was revealed the mother-of-two had passed away

The campaigner's Bowelbabe fund surged past £6.8million in the hours after it was revealed the mother-of-two had passed away

Deborah (pictured with her children), parent to Hugo, 14, and Eloise, 12, with her husband Sebastien, was constantly labelled 'inspirational' by fans after candidly sharing her struggles on social media, as well as on Radio 5 Live's You, Me and the Big C, of which she was one of three presenters

 Deborah (pictured with her children), parent to Hugo, 14, and Eloise, 12, with her husband Sebastien, was constantly labelled 'inspirational' by fans after candidly sharing her struggles on social media, as well as on Radio 5 Live's You, Me and the Big C, of which she was one of three presenters

Deborah and her husband Sebastien Bowen in April 2019

Deborah and her husband Sebastien Bowen in April 2019

Dame Deborah James dead at 40: Poignant announcement from her family in full 

The death of podcast host and mother-of-two Deborah James at the age of 40 was announced by her family on Instagram

The death of podcast host and mother-of-two Deborah James at the age of 40 was announced by her family on Instagram

We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Dame Deborah James; the most amazing wife, daughter, sister, mummy. Deborah passed away peacefully today, surrounded by her family.

Deborah, who many of you will know as Bowelbabe, was an inspiration and we are incredibly proud of her and her work and commitment to charitable campaigning, fundraising and her endless efforts to raise awareness of cancer that touched so many lives.

Deborah shared her experience with the world to raise awareness, break down barriers, challenge taboos and change the conversation around cancer. Even in her most challenging moments, her determination to raise money and awareness was inspiring.

We thank you for giving us time in private as a family, and we look forward to continuing Deborah’s legacy long into the future through the

Thank you for playing your part in her journey, you are all incredible.

And a few final things from Deborah…“find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope. And finally, check your poo – it could just save your life.” x

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The cancer-fighting charity set up by Dame Deborah was boosted again overnight amid a huge outpouring of support after her death was announced by her family.

Her Bowelbabe fund surged past £6.8million in the hours after it was revealed the 40-year-old mother-of-two had lost her brave battle.

Dame Deborah's family revealed the tragic news in an Instagram post which said 'the most amazing wife, daughter, sister, mummy' passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones.

In her final weeks, the presenter of the BBC podcast You, Me And The Big C raised £6.75million for research and was made a dame for her 'tireless' work improving awareness of the disease.

Dame Deborah became a patron for Bowel Cancer UK following her diagnosis and worked to raise money and awareness of the charity.

Its chief executive Genevieve Edwards said her legacy would live on through her campaigning work and that she had a 'special gift' to connect with the public.

She said: 'Deborah has been an incredible force for good, for our charity and others. Since the day of her diagnosis she has shone a bright light on bowel cancer.

'She hasn't stopped in her tireless attempts to raise awareness. She has raised thousands and thousands of pounds for the causes close to her heart and even in the most difficult days personally for her she has never stopped helping others.

'Her star shone so bright and she will be missed by so many.'

Ms Edwards described Dame Deborah's legacy as 'huge' and said she had never seen so many conversations about bowel cancer taking place. She has shone a very powerful light on it,' she said.

'But her warmth and her compassion, her energy and her humour, really connected with people and made something which is often difficult to talk about okay to talk about.

'That has been her special gift - to connect with others and to have those difficult conversations. And in doing so prompt people to take action, and she has saved countless lives.' 

The former deputy head teacher turned cancer campaigner, from west London, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in December 2016, and was told early on that she might not live beyond five years - a milestone that passed in the autumn of 2021.

In recent weeks, Deborah made the most of her time, going for days out, which were exhausting due to her condition. However, she remained positive, and posted about how much she enjoyed outings, like this one to Royal Ascot

In recent weeks, Deborah made the most of her time, going for days out, which were exhausting due to her condition. However, she remained positive, and posted about how much she enjoyed outings, like this one to Royal Ascot

BBC podcast host Deborah James has passed away following her five-year battle with bowel cancer, her family has announced in an Instagram post, which included this above photo

BBC podcast host Deborah James has passed away following her five-year battle with bowel cancer, her family has announced in an Instagram post, which included this above photo

Resilience: Deborah James pictured with her mother Heather James two months ago after on of her most recent operations

Resilience: Deborah James pictured with her mother Heather James two months ago after on of her most recent operations

Lauren Mahon and Deborah James (left)
Dame Deborah with her brother and his fiancée after they got engaged

Deborah (pictured, far left, with Lauren Mahon and, right, with her brother and his fiancée) was made a dame by the Duke of Cambridge at her family home, with William praising her for 'going above and beyond to make a very special memory'

Deborah, parent to Hugo, 14, and Eloise, 12, with her husband Sebastien, was constantly labelled 'inspirational' by fans after candidly sharing her struggles on social media, as well as on Radio 5 Live's You, Me and the Big C, of which she was one of three presenters.

On May 9, the mother-of-two shared a heartbreaking 'goodbye' message to her Instagram followers, revealing she was being moved into hospice-at-home care at her parents' house, while 'surrounded by family', because 'my body simply isn't playing ball.' 

While she said at the time that no one knew how long she may live, she recently revealed she was given just days when she was released from hospital last month.

Deborah insisted she had left 'no stone unturned' during her search for 'magic medicine miracle'.

She was made a dame by the Duke of Cambridge at her family home, with William praising her for 'going above and beyond to make a very special memory'. He later called her 'incredible' telling staff at the Royal Marsden who had treated her: 'She is a brave and inspirational woman.'

Announcing her death last night, her family wrote: 'We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Dame Deborah James; the most amazing wife, daughter, sister, mummy. Deborah passed away peacefully today, surrounded by her family.' 

Concluding their Instagram post, the cancer campaigner's family shared her last words, writing: 'A few final things from Deborah…'find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope. And finally, check your poo - it could just save your life.' 

Deborah's death was announced by her family on Instagram last night. They posted a photograph of the mother-of-two smiling against the backdrop of a peaceful sunset.

'Deborah, who many of you will know as Bowelbabe, was an inspiration and we are incredibly proud of her and her work and commitment to charitable campaigning, fundraising and her endless efforts to raise awareness of cancer that touched so many lives.

'Deborah shared her experience with the world to raise awareness, break down barriers, challenge taboos and change the conversation around cancer.

'Even in her most challenging moments, her determination to raise money and awareness was inspiring.

'We thank you for giving us time in private as a family, and we look forward to continuing Deborah's legacy long into the future through the @bowelbabefund. Thank you for playing your part in her journey, you are all incredible.

Tributes flooded in for the cancer campaigner, with Deborah's mother Heather saying her heart is 'broken' following the death of her daughter. Heather James, whose handle on Instagram is Bowelgran, shared a series of photos of Dame Deborah and wrote: 'My heart is broken. Love you forever.'

Deborah certainly made the most of the weeks she had while in hospice care, going on outings, and making memories with loved ones.

These trips included watching opera at Glyndebourne, enjoying a trip after hours to the Chelsea Flower Show and lunch at the £700-a-night Beaverbrook estate in Leatherhead, Surrey. 

She also had a day out at the races, going to Royal Ascot - just 30 minutes drive from her parents' Woking home - in mid-June, with family members including her brother Benjamin and his fiancee Ashley Hall.

On May 9, the mother-of-two shared a heartbreaking 'goodbye' message to her 470,000 Instagram followers, revealing she was being moved into hospice-at-home care, while 'surrounded by family', because 'my body simply isn't playing ball'
She since went on to launch a clothing collection and raise over £6.5 million

On May 9, the mother-of-two shared a heartbreaking 'goodbye' message to her 470,000 Instagram followers, revealing she was being moved into hospice-at-home care, while 'surrounded by family', because 'my body simply isn't playing ball'

Deborah's mother Heather posted to her Instagram stories shortly after the family's sad announcement
She said: 'My heart is broken. Love you forever.'

Deborah's mother Heather posted to her Instagram stories shortly after the family's sad announcement. She said: 'My heart is broken. Love you forever.'

Celebrities and fans paid tribute to Deborah, writing on her family's announcement on Instagram. 'Fly high angel. You will always be remembered.' wrote Candice Brown

Celebrities and fans paid tribute to Deborah, writing on her family's announcement on Instagram. 'Fly high angel. You will always be remembered.' wrote Candice Brown 

Writing about the trip on Instagram, Deborah said: 'Yesterday was really special as with a lot of effort and help I actually made it to Ascot Race Course once again.  I honestly have to pinch myself that I've been well enough each day to do something like this. Another favourite I'd had in mind and a fab milestone to say 'ain't dead yet!'.'

Before her diagnosis, Deborah was an ambitious deputy head teacher who'd been brought in to turn around a failing comprehensive in Surrey. She also had two young children to bring up.

It meant she and her banker husband of more than 10 years, Sebastien, were always stressed and barely saw each other. 'It was a classic case of our marriage coming last,' she told The Daily Mail in February 2020.

Sebastien moved out in 2015 and they embarked on an initially 'acrimonious' divorce, both hiring lawyers and starting to see other people. Deborah even went on some 'hideous' Tinder dates.

They'd already had the decree nisi when they agreed to counselling, not with any hope of a reconciliation, but simply to be on more cordial terms for the children. Then, to Deborah's astonishment, the pair began having drinks, then dinner, after the sessions. 

In November 2016, they made 'a big step' and got back together, only for Deborah to receive her shock diagnosis soon after.

'One of the good things about cancer is it makes you reassess your relationship. It's crunch time. You think: 'Do I really want to be with this person?'  And if you don't, then it's 'Bye!' as life really is short. But cancer can also make you realise how special your connection is, and that's where we are: in a good place,' Deborah said. 

Deborah was diagnosed 'late' with incurable bowel cancer in 2016. She had frequently said that as a vegetarian runner, she was the last person doctors expected to get the disease.

A recent Instagram story shared by the cancer campaigner revealed that her father brushed her hair, with Deborah saying she had 'no strength' to do it

A recent Instagram story shared by the cancer campaigner revealed that her father brushed her hair, with Deborah saying she had 'no strength' to do it

After sharing her experiences on living with the illness on social media, Deborah became known as the 'Bowel Babe' and in 2018, she joined Lauren Mahon and Rachael Bland to present the award-winning podcast You, Me and the Big C on Radio 5 Live. 

Bland tragically died of breast cancer on September 5 that year; her husband Steve Bland now co-presents the show.

It had been a difficult year for Deborah, who in previous years had defied the odds by running 5K races and taking part in triathlons.

However, she told Lorraine Kelly earlier this year that she spent '80 per cent' of it in hospital receiving treatment after suffering sepsis and a traumatic varicose vein bleed.

In January, she said the 'trauma' of nearly dying from the bleed was still 'very raw and real' as she returned home after three weeks in hospital. 

'A truly special person who saved lives and did so much to help others': Friends and colleagues pay tribute to Dame Deborah James

Tributes have poured into Dame Deborah James after her family confirmed she has died aged 40 following a long battle with bowel cancer. 

Messages commended the mother-of-two for her inspiring fundraising, her 'tireless' campaigning and her incredible legacy. 

The podcaster and campaigner revealed in early May that she had stopped active treatment and was receiving end-of-life care at her parents' home in Woking, with her husband Sebastien and their two children on hand. 

In her final weeks, the presenter of the BBC podcast You, Me And The Big C raised millions of pounds for research and was made a dame for her 'tireless' work improving awareness of the disease. 

Her mother Heather said her heart is 'broken' following the death of her daughter aged 40 from bowel cancer.

BBC podcast host Deborah James has passed away following her five-year battle with cancer

BBC podcast host Deborah James has passed away following her five-year battle with cancer

Heather James, whose handle on the social media site is Bowelgran, shared a series of photos of Dame Deborah and wrote: 'My heart is broken. Love you forever.'

Fans, politicians and celebrities also rushed to pay their respects to the inspirational campaigner.

Minister of State Michelle Donelan tweeted: 'RIP Deborah James - a selfless inspiration. Thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.'

First Dates personality Fred Sirieix tweeted: 'Deborah James passed away. Poor thing. RIP'

Meanwhile, Piers Morgan tweeted: 'RIP Dame Deborah James, aka Bowel Babe. A truly remarkable and inspiring woman. Such sad news.'

Good Morning Britain host Charlotte Hawkins described Dame Deborah James as an 'inspiration.'

She tweeted: 'Oh no...heartbreaking news that @bowelbabe has left us. What an inspiration, a truly special person who saved lives & did so much to help others.

'Who showed that even a terminal diagnosis wasn't going to stop her living life to the full. So much love to her family & friends.'

Carol Vorderman also paid tribute to Dame Deborah James, tweeting: 'Rest in peace @Bowelbabe. Your incredible spirit will live on.'

BBC radio presenter Chris Stark tweeted that Dame Deborah had been an inspiration for many.

'Dame Deborah James,' he tweeted.

'You inspired so many and did everything to the fullest. No one can do more than that. I hope we can have a gin wherever this all leads.

'Thinking of your family and friends and everyone that is going through similar. Rest in Peace Debs x'

Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner described Dame Deborah as an 'extraordinary campaigner'.

She tweeted: 'Rest in peace Deborah James. What an incredible, fierce, bright and brilliant woman.

'An absolutely extraordinary campaigner. Thank you for your rebellious hope and the millions you have inspired @bowelbabe.

'Thinking of your many loved ones'.

TV presenter Julia Bradbury said Dame Deborah was 'the most incredible ambassador of life'.

She tweeted: 'Heartbroken that Dame Deborah James has died.

'She has been the most incredible ambassador of life & cancer campaigner.

'My thoughts are with her family & children. Such a huge loss. Your bright light will shine on Deborah.'

TV presenter Gaby Roslin tweeted: 'Bye bye my beautiful friend Deborah.

'You will forever shine so brightly. Thank you for all you did. For the laughter, the dancing and most importantly for all you did in your short lifetime for others.

'My love to all of the family. Just so heartbreaking'.

Genevieve Edwards, chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK, where Dame Deborah James was a patron, said the podcaster had turned her diagnosis into 'an incredible force for good'.

She said: 'We're deeply saddened that our patron Dame Deborah James has died, and our hearts go out to her family and everyone who knew and loved her. Deborah's star shone bright; she was a true inspiration.

'She turned her bowel cancer diagnosis into an incredible force for good and through her tireless campaigning to raise awareness of bowel cancer symptoms, will have saved countless lives.

'Deborah brought warmth, energy, and honesty to everything she did. Even during her most difficult times living with bowel cancer, she never stopped helping others.

'We are truly grateful to have known Deborah and to call her our friend. She was a powerful patron for Bowel Cancer UK, and leaves a stunning legacy through her BowelBabe Fund, a testament to the love and admiration so many had for her.'

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After sharing her experiences on living with the illness on social media, Deborah became known as the 'Bowel Babe' and in 2018, she joined Lauren Mahon and Rachael Bland to present the award-winning podcast You, Me and the Big C on Radio 5 Live

After sharing her experiences on living with the illness on social media, Deborah became known as the 'Bowel Babe' and in 2018, she joined Lauren Mahon and Rachael Bland to present the award-winning podcast You, Me and the Big C on Radio 5 Live

Speaking on her You, Me and the Big C podcast with co-host Steve Bland, Deborah said: 'I was in a state, an absolute state. I was flummoxed. I can't describe it. I just survived something I never thought… I thought that was it. I thought I was a goner.

'How do you process that I said my goodbyes, I thought that was it, I thought that was the end of my life, how do you stop reliving that trauma? I did not know what to do with myself.

HOW DEPUTY HEAD TURNED SOCIAL MEDIA STAR TRANSFORMED BOWEL CANCER AWARENESS

  • In December 2016, the West London mother-of-two, a deputy head, was diagnosed 'late' with incurable bowel cancer
  • After sharing her experiences on living with the disease on social media, Deborah became known as the 'Bowel Babe' 
  • In 2018, she became one of three presenters on Radio 5 Live's You, Me and the Big C, which was conceived by her late co-host Rachael Bland 
  • On September 5 2018, Welsh journalist and presenter Bland, diagnosed with terminal breast cancer, died at the age of 40
  • Deborah and her co-host Lauren Mahon continued to present the show, with Steve Bland, Rachael's husband, joining the duo
  • On social media and in her column for The Sun newspaper, Deborah documented the many chemo, radiotherapy sessions and surgery she'd had since
In 2018, Deborah (left) joined Lauren Mahon (front) and Rachael Bland (right) to present the award-winning podcast You, Me and the Big C on Radio 5 Live

In 2018, Deborah (left) joined Lauren Mahon (front) and Rachael Bland (right) to present the award-winning podcast You, Me and the Big C on Radio 5 Live

  • In 2019, she had a procedure known as CyberKnife, a highly targeted form of radiotherapy to attack an inoperable lymph node close to her liver
  •  The pandemic's impact on cancer services saw her campaign for care to continue as normal and, earlier this year, she launched the ITV's Lorraine's 'No Butts' campaign, raising awareness on bowel cancer symptoms 
  • Since last year, she had been taking new experimental drugs as part of a trial after her oncology team gave her the green light to do so
  • In August, Deborah revealed that scans she'd had in recent days revealed her cancer had gone in the 'wrong direction very quickly'  
  • She told followers she would be taking a break on social media over the weekend to 'snuggle' with her family ahead of more scans
  • The mother-of-two said a new 'rapidly-growing' tumour near her liver had wrapped itself around her bowel 
  • On October 1, Deborah celebrated her 40th birthday 
  • By October 18, the mother-of-two told her followers her chemotherapy was working
  • Days later, she was rushed to A&E with 'spiking 40 degree temperatures'
  • In November, she revealed she is unable to walk for more than 20 minutes and remained 'very weak'
  • By December, Deborah said she was 'not sure what her options were' after her liver stent 'stopped working' 
  • In January, she had five operations in 10 days after nearly dying in an acute medical emergency
  • On January 25, Deborah returned home from hospital after three weeks 
  • On March 14, the mother-of-two was back in hospital as an in-patient after suffering from septic infection
  • In April, she concerned fans with snaps after suffering 'a rough few days'
  • On April 14, the mother-of-two told fans she had been discharged from hospital but called the situation 'very tough'
  • On April 27, she told Lorraine Kelly that she had spent '80 per cent' of the year in hospital 
  • On May 9, Deborah announced she had moved to hospice care  

 

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'And it's amazing how you suddenly go back to the things you realise you can do, which is to chat into a microphone or write – whatever your normal coping mechanism are even in a crisis.

'I'm always somebody that has to have a bit of a purpose so I was like: 'If I'm going through this I need each and every day to find a purpose'. Obviously the purpose is to live but it also gave me a structure during the day. It gave me something to do (in hospital).

'I thought I feel so awful, not just physically, but mentally. I thought I knew what rock bottom was. I thought I knew what tough was and I didn't. I cracked – there's no embarrassment in saying that. I hit a new low that I never knew existed.'

Posting on Instagram earlier this year, the mother-of-two spoke of enduring the 'hardest, most heartbreaking and scariest' period of her cancer battle. She told how her husband watched as doctors fought to save her life after she 'crashed' in resuscitation. 

'A week ago at this time in the evening I nearly died in what was an acute medical emergency,' she wrote. 'I'm not ready to discuss what happened yet as the trauma of it all has been incredibly intense - but it's thanks to an unbelievable team of NHS specialists who worked all through the night and the next day to save me.  

'I cannot be more grateful. I'm still not out of danger and I have a lot more procedures to deal with. But I'm now out of intensive care. And for the first time felt able to briefly update you.' 

Sharing a photo of her giving a thumbs up from a hospital bed, she continued: 'This is me yesterday having just come round from my 3rd operation this week. I have another operation tomorrow.

'In 5 years of having stage 4 Cancer - this has been the hardest, most heartbreaking and scariest of them all. I'd always prepared for my death, but I wasn't prepared for something so blindsiding and traumatic to happen. 

'I can't quite believe I'm here to write this. A week ago my whole family was praying I'd pull through the night. I'm getting a lot of help and support to come to terms with the trauma I've been through. 

'My family have been incredible. I don't know how my husband held it together seeing me crash as an army of doctors stabilised me in resus.'

After thanking followers for their support, she added: 'Do me a favour and go tell your loved ones how much you love them. To realise in a sudden split moment that you are unlikely to see the next day is utterly heartbreaking. Have no regrets.' 

When discussing how difficult the last six months have been, Deborah said while she was really happy that the 'big gun chemo' she endured had slowed her cancer's growth, which had been 'on the march', it had been an exhausting time. 

In the summer, Deborah was told she had an aggressive new tumour that had wrapped itself around her bile duct - requiring a life-saving stay in hospital - and a stent fitted to stop her liver from failing. The stent fitted to stop her liver failing 'stopped working' in December. 

She explained to her followers at the time how hopes at having a 'quick replacement operation' had turned into a 'nightmare'. 

She said: 'I'm now at the mercy of hopefully some super 'magic medicine miracle' - but then I always have been, and any chance is a chance right?  All I ever say is all I want is hope and options.'  

Last year, Deborah shared that her cancer, which had been kept at bay by pioneering treatment, was back again.

In January 2020, she had explained that scans showed she had no evidence of cancer in her body at that point - with doctors suggesting she was 'rewriting the textbook' - but in April 2021, she revealed her cancer was back again.

Writing in Fabulous, Deborah explained: 'The results aren't a s*** show. The good news is my liver, lungs, bowel and chest are all clear. But my cancer has a habit of being awkward and it's thrown me another challenge, a roadblock we need to navigate around.'

She went on to explain that three years ago she underwent a procedure known as CyberKnife - a highly targeted form of radiotherapy which targeted an inoperable lymph node close to her liver.

The surgery was a success and the cancer became inactive. But while Deborah continued undergoing daily targeted drug therapy to keep the cancer at bay, she told how just as lockdown restrictions in the UK started easing, her cancer 'wanted in on the party' and started waking up.

In September 2021, Deborah urged those at home to go to the doctor if they felt something wasn't right when speaking to BBC News - after admitting she regretted 'not getting to the GP earlier'.

'It's not about scaremongering. It's about if you're sat at home right now, you need to know your body and get it checked out sooner rather than later,' she insisted.

'I live with incurable bowel cancer and I put off my own diagnosis with bowel cancer. You assume at that age you're too young to be diagnosed. By the time I was, I had late stage bowel cancer.

'I'm very grateful to be approaching five years, but I know that I'm smashing every statistic to do that.

'The key message is actually cancer is survivable. More people will survive 10 years after they are diagnosed with cancer than die from it, but that's because of where we're moving in terms of catching things early.

'The first step in doing that is for people sat at home to recognise it has to start with them and we have to come forward. It's not putting the blame back, I've personally beaten myself up about regretting not getting to the GP earlier.'

In January 2020, she had explained that scans showed she had no evidence of cancer in her body at that point -
In April 2021, she revealed her cancer was back again

In January 2020, she had explained that scans showed she had no evidence of cancer in her body at that point - with doctors suggesting she was 'rewriting the textbook' - but in April 2021, she revealed her cancer was back again 

Despite ongoing cancer treatments over the last few years, Deborah continued living life to the full, holidaying with her family and dancing in the rain

Despite ongoing cancer treatments over the last few years, Deborah continued living life to the full, holidaying with her family and dancing in the rain  

The former headteacher (pictured right, with children Eloise, 12, Hugo, 14 and husband Sebastien Bowen) was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016

The former headteacher (pictured right, with children Eloise, 12, Hugo, 14 and husband Sebastien Bowen) was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016

The loyal husband who's been Deborah James's 'backbone': Banker Sebastien Bowen danced BBC podcaster 'back into the light' in her darkness moments - after cancelling their divorce weeks before her cancer diagnosis 

He's the man she calls her 'rock', her 'blanket' and her 'very backbone' after cancer made Deborah James realise how 'special' the connection she shares with her banker husband Sebastien is. 

But if things had worked out differently, the BBC podcaster, 40, would have been facing her five-year cancer battle as a single woman.  

The pair, who have been married since July 2008, and share son Hugo, 14, and daughter, Eloise, 12, were in the midst of divorce proceedings in 2016, before rekindling their relationship a month before Deborah's diagnosis of incurable bowel cancer.

But the 'bowel babe' urged her City banker husband, 42, to find love after her death, with the caveat: 'Don't be taken for a ride, don't marry a bimbo'. 

Deborah James (left) is pictured on her July 2008 wedding day to banker Sebastien Bowen

Deborah James (left) is pictured on her July 2008 wedding day to banker Sebastien Bowen

The pair, who have been married since July 2008, and share son Hugo, 14, and daughter, Eloise, 12, and were set to split in 2016 before rekindling their romance shortly before Deborah's diagnosis of bowel cancer. The
They are pictured on their anniversary in 2009

The pair, who have been married since July 2008, and share son Hugo, 14, and daughter, Eloise, 12, and were set to split in 2016 before rekindling their romance shortly before Deborah's diagnosis of bowel cancer.  They are pictured on their anniversary in 2009

Before her diagnosis, Deborah was an ambitious deputy head teacher who'd been brought in to turn around a failing comprehensive in Surrey. 

It meant she and Sebastien, were always stressed and barely saw each other. 'It was a classic case of our marriage coming last,' she told the Daily Mail in 2020.

Sebastien moved out in 2015 and they embarked on an initially 'acrimonious' divorce, both hiring lawyers and starting to see other people. Deborah even went on some 'hideous' Tinder dates.

They'd already had the decree nisi when they agreed to counselling, not with any hope of a reconciliation, but simply to be on more cordial terms for the children.

Writing on his 40th birthday in 2019, Deborah shared this sweet picture and wrote: 'Happy 40th to this brilliant man. So proud of you. Thanks for being my rock and my blanket. For being there in sickness, in health, in the fun times and the bad times. We love you'

Writing on his 40th birthday in 2019, Deborah shared this sweet picture and wrote: 'Happy 40th to this brilliant man. So proud of you. Thanks for being my rock and my blanket. For being there in sickness, in health, in the fun times and the bad times. We love you'

Then, to Deborah's astonishment, the pair began having drinks, then dinner, after the sessions.

In November 2016, they made 'a big step' and got back together, only for Deborah to receive her shock diagnosis soon after.

'Some days I crave the attention, just wanting to feel desired,' she told the Daily Mail.

'Other days, my husband can't sneeze near me without getting his head bitten off. Understandably navigating that — for both of us — is hard.'

However, she said, 'One of the good things about cancer is it makes you reassess your relationship. It's crunch time. You think: 'Do I really want to be with this person?' And if you don't, then it's 'Bye!' as life really is short.

Bowel babe' urged her City banker beau to find love after her death, with the caveat: 'Don't be taken for a ride, don't marry a bimbo'. They are pictured dancing on their anniversary in the south of France

Bowel babe' urged her City banker beau to find love after her death, with the caveat: 'Don't be taken for a ride, don't marry a bimbo'. They are pictured dancing on their anniversary in the south of France

Sebastien moved out in 2015 and they embarked on an initially 'acrimonious' divorce, both hiring lawyers and starting to see other people. Deborah even went on some 'hideous' Tinder dates, but later rekindled their romance

Sebastien moved out in 2015 and they embarked on an initially 'acrimonious' divorce, both hiring lawyers and starting to see other people. Deborah even went on some 'hideous' Tinder dates, but later rekindled their romance

'But cancer can also make you realise how special your connection is, and that's where we are: in a good place.'

Sebastien will now face raising their two children alone, while balancing his career as a banker.  

The University of Edinburgh graduate works for Pomona Capital, a Mayfair-based private equity firm and previously was a director at MetLife Investments.

In August, Deborah shared a sweet video of the pair dancing together in the South of France with a sweet caption thanking her husband for 'holding her hand in the darkness and dancing her back into the light'.

In November 2016, they made 'a big step' and got back together, only for Deborah to receive her shock diagnosis soon after. They are pictured at a festival

In November 2016, they made 'a big step' and got back together, only for Deborah to receive her shock diagnosis soon after. They are pictured at a festival 

Sebastien will now face raising their two children alone, while balancing his career as a banker. The University of Edinburgh graduate works for Pomona Capital, a Mayfair-based private equity firm and previously was a director at MetLife Investments. They are pictured on holiday

Sebastien will now face raising their two children alone, while balancing his career as a banker. The University of Edinburgh graduate works for Pomona Capital, a Mayfair-based private equity firm and previously was a director at MetLife Investments. They are pictured on holiday

She wrote:  '13 Years of marriage. My Rock.  It was our wedding anniversary earlier this week. Some days the weight of what that means in an uncertain future can be too much.

'Then it's the closing of new day. A new day you are grateful to see. A new day you didn't think you'd feel well in. And you dance. As your lids laugh and film. The sun sets, and you realise how wonderful it is to reach another milestone (and you park the sadness). 

'And you smile. And you are at one in the moment only. Because for any of us that's all we ever have anyway. And you give thanks to have people in your life that are the very back bone you remain upright on.

'Sebastien - Thank you for holding my hand in the darkness and dancing me back into the light. I love you. Always'.

Sebastien, who attended the £13,788-a-term St Paul's School in west London has an impressive career with 20 years of primary and secondary fund investing experience

Sebastien, who attended the £13,788-a-term St Paul's School in west London has an impressive career with 20 years of primary and secondary fund investing experience

The couple often celebrate their anniversary and take moments to be romantic (pictured in the south of France)

The couple often celebrate their anniversary and take moments to be romantic (pictured in the south of France)

The couple often celebrated their anniversary and took moments to be romantic. 

In 2019, Deborah shared a sweet picture of the pair kissing at a London bar writing: '11 years ago today we 'officially' got married. 

'We then had our wedding a few weeks later in France so we normally celebrate then and @sebastienbowen always remembers the correct date (it's the 26th!!)- but any excuse for a nice meal and a cheeky snog?! 

'I don't do cheesy declarations very well - but I love this man very much so. Thanks for being my rock.'

She often posted sweet pictures and tributes to her husband on social media, on his 40th birthday in 2019 she wrote: 'Happy 40th to this brilliant man. So proud of you. Thanks for being my rock and my blanket. For being there in sickness, in health, in the fun times and the bad times. We love you'' 

On another occasion she shared a picture of the pair kissing in Kew Gardens with the caption: '12 years ago I said yes in this same spot'.

On another occasion she shared a picture of the pair kissing in Kew Gardens with the caption: '12 years ago I said yes in this same spot'.

On another occasion she shared a picture of the pair kissing in Kew Gardens with the caption: '12 years ago I said yes in this same spot'. 

Sebastien, who attended the £13,788-a-term St Paul's School in west London has an impressive career with  20 years of primary and secondary fund investing experience.

Deborah said she has written letters for her children to help them with their first dates and wedding days, and will buy Hugo 'a nice pen or wallet or cufflinks' and Eloise 'Tiffany bracelets and earrings' to remember her - as well as some presents and postcards from her for the future.

And her funeral is also planned where she will be cremated, but she said she hoped her ashes will be kept in the family kitchen 'for a while' before being scattered. 

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Taking to her Instagram page in May to share news she was moving to hospice care, Deborah wrote: 'The message I never wanted to write. We have tried everything, but my body simply isn't playing ball.

'My active care has stopped and I am now moved to hospice at home care, with my incredible family all around me and the focus is on making sure I'm not in pain and spending time with them.

'Nobody knows how long I've got left but I'm not able to walk, I'm sleeping most of the days, and most things I took for granted are pipe dreams. I know we have left no stone unturned. But even with all the innovative cancer drugs in the world or some magic new breakthrough, my body just can't continue anymore.

BOWEL CANCER: THE SYMPTOMS YOU SHOULDN'T IGNORE 

Bowel, or colorectal, cancer affects the large bowel, which is made up of the colon and rectum.

Such tumours usually develop from pre-cancerous growths, called polyps.

Symptoms include:

  • Bleeding from the bottom
  • Blood in stools
  • A change in bowel habits lasting at least three weeks
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Extreme, unexplained tiredness
  • Abdominal pain

Most cases have no clear cause, however, people are more at risk if they: 

  • Are over 50
  • Have a family history of the condition
  • Have a personal history of polyps in their bowel
  • Suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease
  • Lead an unhealthy lifestyle  

Treatment usually involves surgery, and chemo- and radiotherapy.

More than nine out of 10 people with stage one bowel cancer survive five years or more after their diagnosis.

This drops significantly if it is diagnosed in later stages. 

According to Bowel Cancer UK figures, more than 41,200 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK. 

It affects around 40 per 100,000 adults per year in the US, according to the National Cancer Institute.

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'In over 5 years of writing about how I thought it would be my final Christmas, how I wouldn't see my 40th birthday nor see my kids go to secondary school - I never envisaged writing the one where I would actually say goodbye. I think it's been the rebellious hope in me. 

'But I don't think anyone can say the last 6 months has exactly been kind! It's all heartbreaking to be going through but I'm surrounded by so much love that if anything can help me through I hope that will.'

She went on to share news of her Bowelbabe Fund which is being set up in her name, writing: 'I always knew there was one thing I always wanted to do before I died. I have always over the years raised as much awareness and money for the charities that are closest to me. @cr_uk @royalmarsden @bowelcanceruk.

'As a result, the @bowelbabefund is being established and I'd love nothing more than for you to help it flourish. Please visit bowelbabe.org for all the info and to donate (link in Bio).'

'All I ask if you ever read a column, followed my Instagram, listened to the podcast or saw me dressed as a poo for no reason. Please buy me a drink to see me out this world, by donating the cost to @bowelbabefund which will enable us to raise funds for further life saving research into cancer. To give more Deborah's more time!'

As she finished the post, she wrote: 'Right now for me it's all about taking it a day at a time, step by step and being grateful for another sunrise.  My whole family are around me and we will dance through this together, sunbathing and laughing (I'll cry!!) at every possible moment!

'You are all incredible, thank you for playing your part in my journey. No regrets. Enjoy life. Deborah.' 

Deborah had originally aimed to raise £250,000 with her fund - but within hours the total had rocketed beyond that target and within 24 hours it had reached more than £1million.

After seeing the amount raised, the podcast host took to her Instagram stories to say she was 'utterly blown away' by the generosity of those who had backed her fundraising drive. She wrote: 'I never in my wildest dreams thought we'd be waking up to this total 12 hours later. I'm actually crying!'

When she was made Dame Deborah on May 13 for her campaigning, she posted pictures of Prince William with herself and her family on Instagram and has said the visit gave her family 'so much to smile about in the sadness'.

In a post on Instagram, she said: 'I believe I may have had the most surreal, mind blowing, humbling five days of my life.

'My family are being amazing and as emotional as it all is, we are finding so much to smile about in the sadness.

'I may be getting weaker and more tired each tired having run off pure adrenaline, but my word, I always said I wanted to slide in sideways when my time is up, with a massive smile, no regrets and a big glass of champagne! Still my intention!!!'

In a personal tweet written by William and Kate, they said: 'Every now and then, someone captures the heart of the nation with their zest for life & tenacious desire to give back to society.

Deborah was diagnosed 'late' with incurable bowel cancer in 2016. She had frequently said that as a vegetarian runner, she was the last person doctors expected to get the disease

 Deborah was diagnosed 'late' with incurable bowel cancer in 2016. She had frequently said that as a vegetarian runner, she was the last person doctors expected to get the disease

'@bowelbabe is one of those special people. Her tireless efforts to raise awareness of bowel cancer & end the stigma of treatment are inspiring.

'We are so sad to hear her recent update but pleased to support the @bowelbabef, which will benefit the @royalmarsdenNHS among others.

'Deborah, our thoughts are with you, your family and your friends. Thank you for giving hope to so many who are living with cancer. W & C.'

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: 'If ever an honour was richly deserved, this is it.' Later, Prince William praised 'brilliant, brave and inspirational' bowel babe Dame Deborah James as he met some of the staff who treated her.

Speaking to patient Lorraine Kimber, 59, from Essex, who is currently undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer and knows Mrs James well, at the Royal Marsden Hospital, he said: 'She was incredible, incredible. She was surrounded by her family, we had a lovely afternoon.

 'You know she's had over 100 tumours. Which is unbelievable. I couldn't believe that. The resilience you have to have to keep going back again, it's got to be very draining on you.'

He later said 'She was on amazing form when I saw her. She was joking…because they are a very tight family, very close, you could see that….she was joking that at last she could now drink. 

How her mother's love kept Deborah James going: 'Bowel gran', 64, who 'relentlessly nursed' BBC podcaster back to health 'again, and again and again'

Deborah's mother Heather, grandmother-to-four and mother-to-three, was a constant support for the former deputy head teacher turned cancer campaigner, who had been living with stage four bowel cancer since she was diagnosed in December 2016.

She was by her side during countless hospital stays, joined in with Deborah's viral 'chemo dances', in which the pair would shake a leg to help the presenter get through another chemotherapy cycle, and cared for her grandchildren 'at the drop of a hat'.

Happier times: Heather James pictured with her daughter Deborah James and her grandchild Eloise

Happier times: Heather James pictured with her daughter Deborah James and her grandchild Eloise

Heather had 'relentlessly nursed' Deborah (pictured together), 40, back to health 'again, and again and again'

Heather had 'relentlessly nursed' Deborah (pictured together), 40, back to health 'again, and again and again'

Heather (pictured), grandmother-to-four and mother-to-three, was a constant support for the former deputy head teacher turned cancer campaigner, who has been living with stage four bowel cancer since she was diagnosed in December 2016

Heather (pictured), grandmother-to-four and mother-to-three, was a constant support for the former deputy head teacher turned cancer campaigner, who has been living with stage four bowel cancer since she was diagnosed in December 2016

Deborah previously posted a video as she danced to Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees in the garden with her mother while wearing matching outfits (pictured)

Deborah previously posted a video as she danced to Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees in the garden with her mother while wearing matching outfits (pictured)

Heather - who is a pre-school gymnastic coach - had also ensured Deborah's fans are kept up-to-date with her condition, by sharing updates on her own Instagram page @bowelgran, and stepped in for her daughter when she was too unwell to make events.

One such occasion was to launch the 'No Butts' campaign alongside Lorraine Kelly, which aimed to raise awareness of bowel cancer on the Scottish host's daytime programme from 19 April to 5 May.

Praising her mother's appearance, Deborah said on Instagram: 'I'm so proud of my mum today for stepping in to help launch the #NoButts campaign with @lorraine.

'This campaign is something I'm so passionate about. So of course I'm gutted not to be well enough to be there in person (yet!).'

In her final You, Me and the Big C podcast, released earlier this month, Deborah (left) emotionally said goodbye to her faithful listeners and revealed she had decided to live out her days at her parents' bungalow in Woking to spare her children Hugo, 14, and Eloise, 12, from constant reminders in their London home

In her final You, Me and the Big C podcast, released earlier this month, Deborah (left) emotionally said goodbye to her faithful listeners and revealed she had decided to live out her days at her parents' bungalow in Woking to spare her children Hugo, 14, and Eloise, 12, from constant reminders in their London home

Heather has ensured Deborah's fans are kept up-to-date with her condition, by sharing updates on her own Instagram page @bowelgran, and stepped in for her daughter when she was too unwell to make events, such as this Lorraine appearance on TV, pictured

Heather has ensured Deborah's fans are kept up-to-date with her condition, by sharing updates on her own Instagram page @bowelgran, and stepped in for her daughter when she was too unwell to make events, such as this Lorraine appearance on TV, pictured

Deborah was equally full of praise for her mother on Heather's birthday last year, writing online: 'Thank you for everything you do for all of us, especially for relentlessly nursing me back to health, again, and again and again! 

'From hiding in my hospital room to ensure I get my drugs, to sleeping on the sofa with me when I'm scared, to cutting up my toast into tiny squares so I can just nibble them when not hungry! 

'To being there for my kids at the drop of a hat, and for being up for any form of dancing, fashion parade or crazy game I come up with! I'm fully aware where I get most of my 'quirky' traits from! 

'I'm hoping you can spend the day not worrying about me,' she concluded.

Heather (pictured right) was by her side during countless hospital stays, joined in with Deborah's viral 'chemo dances', in which the pair would shake a leg to help the presenter get through another chemotherapy cycle, and cared for her grandchildren 'at the drop of a hat'

Heather (pictured right) was by her side during countless hospital stays, joined in with Deborah's viral 'chemo dances', in which the pair would shake a leg to help the presenter get through another chemotherapy cycle, and cared for her grandchildren 'at the drop of a hat' 

The following day, Deborah posted a video as she danced to Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees in the garden with her mother while wearing matching outfits. 

'It's chemo dance time! You know each cycle I dance whilst attached to the pump,' she explained in her caption. But with with my kids in France, my mum has stepped up this time! Seeing as she's literally been nursing me every second for the last month, keeping me alive, I don't think there could ever be a more apt routine!!'

'Here's to another chemo cycle and to mothers helping us through them,' wrote the mother-of-two.

In January, Heather shared a snap to Instagram showing her posing with her daughter in a hospital bed as she explained that the presenter had undergone five operations in 10 days following a medical emergency during which she almost died.

She said: 'How she does it time and time again blows me away. It's early hours, but it went to plan. 

'The aim was to internalised her bile stent if it was working which so far it seems to be.

In her final podcast, Deborah (pictured with her mother) revealed she had decided to live out her days at her parents' bungalow in Woking to spare her children from constant reminders in their London home - and because she can't get up the stairs to use the lavatory

In her final podcast, Deborah (pictured with her mother) revealed she had decided to live out her days at her parents' bungalow in Woking to spare her children from constant reminders in their London home - and because she can't get up the stairs to use the lavatory

'Obviously now she's kept under close monitoring but she's really happy (and emotional) because she has no drains for the first time in weeks. 

'We just have to pray she remains stable for the foreseeable future now. Due to the operation today, I was allowed to see her briefly as her nominated visitor - which I'm grateful for.'

Heather continued: 'Visiting in Covid is a really hard balance and it's heartbreaking that families can't see their loved ones more - I can't imagine what families went through in full lock down (including in our own family). 

'Deborah certainly needs the support hence why I was allowed in, but risk has to be kept super low. 

'Mental health is so important though, we can't underestimate how it helps with recovery. I see it with Deborah. I recall times pre Covid when I used to sleep in the same room over night!

'As is usual she asked for her make up as soon as she came round which is always a good sign!'  She went on to hashtag the post with #MotherDaughter and #OneDayAtATime.

In her final podcast, Deborah revealed she had decided to live out her days at her parents' bungalow in Woking to spare her children from constant reminders in their London home - and because she can't get up the stairs to use the lavatory

 

 

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In the final weeks of her life, Deborah launched a number of initiatives in order to raise money for her Bowel Babe fund, and continued to speak of the challenges of her cancer battle

In the final weeks of her life, Deborah launched a number of initiatives in order to raise money for her Bowel Babe fund, and continued to speak of the challenges of her cancer battle 

In an emotional final post shared to Instagram in May, Deborah said her body 'was not playing ball' and she was spending 'most of the day sleeping'

In an emotional final post shared to Instagram in May, Deborah said her body 'was not playing ball' and she was spending 'most of the day sleeping'

'She said it was brilliant. She was 'triple parked' and kept on joking about how many drinks she could get lined up in front of her. 

'She's realising that being at home is just where she wants to be right now, surrounded by all her loved ones. She spoke very eloquently and very knowledgably about all the cancer treatments, not just her own.

'She has obviously done her research and was very passionate about making sure the money raised goes straight towards finding more treatments, speeding things up. She was very strong about that.

'It's amazing really in the world we live in that still talking openly and movingly about cancer is not as common as it should be. So many people are affected by cancer. 

'I love Deborah, she's fantastic. I met her children as well. It was very difficult talking to them about it but they seem to have been talking about the situation a lot. 

She raised over £500,000 by collaborating with InTheStyle on a Rebellious Hope t-shirt, while also launching her own clothing collection

She raised over £500,000 by collaborating with InTheStyle on a Rebellious Hope t-shirt, while also launching her own clothing collection 

'That's so important in those moment that the family talk and communicate about it and the children are brought into what is going on.   

'They seem like such a lovely family, the parents were there was well. It was such a very special moment, it really was. A lot of parents and families I can imagine don't know how to brooch the subject.

'It's so difficult to talk about. But they were very open. I was asked lots of questions. It got me quite moved that they wanted to hear those answers, it was so open. Thank you so much for looking after her so well. She is a brave and inspirational woman.'

In the final weeks of her life, Deborah launched a number of iniatives in order to raise money for her Bowel Babe fund, and continued to speak of the challenges of her cancer battle. 

She raised over £500,000 by collaborating with InTheStyle on a Rebellious Hope t-shirt, while also launching her own clothing collection. Proceeds from the collection are set to donated on to her BowelBabe fund. 

In her final days, Deborah was made a dame by the Duke of Cambridge while receiving end-of-life care at her family home

In her final days, Deborah was made a dame by the Duke of Cambridge while receiving end-of-life care at her family home

The mother-of-two and former deputy head teacher met William who personally conferred the damehood to her at home

The mother-of-two and former deputy head teacher met William who personally conferred the damehood to her at home

And her new book topped Amazon's bestsellers chart just 24 hours after it was announced.  For every edition of How to Live When You Could be Dead sold in the UK, £3 will go to Dame Deborah's Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK.  It is due for release on August 18. 

The Chelsea Flower Show also unveiled a rose named after her by the Harkness Rose Company. On what is believed to be one of her final outings, she toured the flower show gardens with her husband Sebastien and TV presenter Sophie Raworth. 

She said she hoped that one day, her daughter Eloise might have the rose in the bouquet of her wedding. 

Meanwhile she revealed her final TV appearance would be in an episode of Embarrassing Bodies where she discusses the symptoms of bowel cancer. 

The campaigner filmed an episode of the show earlier this year and has given her blessing for the programme to be aired in the event of her death. 

Just days before she died, she told The Sun she was 'making sure her children only see her on good days' as she revealed she felt 'exhausted' amid her ongoing cancer battle. 

She added she had felt a 'deep love' from her family, saying: 'I think my family are knackered, they have all been incredible - going above and beyond to look after me and nurse me.' 

The 40-year-old said that the collection was designed while she was at hospital and at home and that it 'brought her to life' and allowed her to think about something else. Deborah is pictured with husband Sebastien while she visited her rose at the Chelsea Flower show yesterday

The 40-year-old said that the collection was designed while she was at hospital and at home and that it 'brought her to life' and allowed her to think about something else. Deborah is pictured with husband Sebastien while she visited her rose at the Chelsea Flower show yesterday 

Speaking after she released a charity t-shirt with the same brand where the profits also went to the bowelbabe fund, she said that she had designed the collection as she loves fashion and clothes and they make her happy. Deborah is pictured here in one of the charity t-shirts with her daughter Eloise
James's book, which is out in August, overtook Richard Osman's mystery novel on Amazon

Speaking after she released a charity t-shirt with the same brand where the profits also went to the bowelbabe fund, she said that she had designed the collection as she loves fashion and clothes and they make her happy. Deborah is pictured here in one of the charity t-shirts with her daughter Eloise 

She added: 'I feel very strongly that I don't want my kids to see me agitated and distressed. I want to make sure they see me when I'm having a good days.'

Saying the 'pressure' on her young children was 'huge', she continued: 'I want them to have nice memories. I don't want them to take on the burden of having to care for me, massage my legs because I can't walk. That would break my heart.'

She recalled seeing her grandparents when they were unwell and said she was determined that Eloise and Hugo won't see that and will have good memories. 

Meanwhile she also revealed how she has been asking the hospice team when she will know 'it is time.' She said: 'I want to know when I need to get my kids back from school, to say goodbye to them.' 

The mother-of-two also revealed how she has told the team she is 'very happy' to be sedated when the time is right. 

You can donate to Deborah James' BowelBabeFund here

 

With a splash of lipstick and that smile, Dame Deborah James achieved more in a few short weeks than most do in a lifetime, writes BETH HALE

Faced with the enormity of saying goodbye, others might have floundered.

Not Deborah James. She embraced the last precious weeks of life with an extraordinary gusto; a passion for making a difference that even at her frailest bestowed on her a kind of radiance.

Dressing up in 'nice clothes' and 'popping on some lippy' helped keep her going, she said.

But what stood out in those final photographs – on trips to Ascot with her brother and Glyndebourne Opera with her husband this month, at Chelsea Flower Show last month holding a glass of champagne in front of a rose, named in her honour, or sitting next to Prince William, newly-bestowed Dame Commander medal pinned to her breast – was her smile. A megawatt grin so broad it could light up the darkest room.

And while there will be many tears today from the family to whom she was devoted and the many, many lives she touched through her passion not just for raising awareness of bowel cancer but how to live with cancer, Deborah James, otherwise known as Bowelbabe, achieved so very much to smile about.

What she chalked up in these last short weeks since announcing that she was receiving end-of-life care is more than most of us could hope to achieve in a lifetime: There's the Damehood, of course, the rose, a book that rocketed straight to the top of the Amazon charts (before it's even published), a clothing line, even a Lego figurine.

And that's before you get to the £6.7 million (and counting) raised for vital cancer research through her hastily-launched, but phenomenally successful, Bowelbabe Fund.

Pictured: Dame Deborah James attends Royal Ascot on June 15 this year

Pictured: Dame Deborah James attends Royal Ascot on June 15 this year

Prince William, who visited Dame Deborah at her parents' home in Woking, sitting with her in the garden in which she wanted to spend her final moments with her family and honouring her 'tireless campaigning' to raise awareness of bowel cancer, called her a 'brave and inspirational woman'.

But, truthfully, there are no superlatives that really do justice to what Deborah James achieved in the time since she was diagnosed with bowel cancer in December 2016.

Last month, as she confronted the new, palliative, stage of her own care, the 40-year-old mother-of-two poignantly insisted she wasn't brave, writing: 'I am not brave – I am not dignified going towards my death, I am simply a scared girl who is doing something she has no choice in but I know I am grateful for the life that I have had.' Others would disagree. Yes, she was unfailingly honest about her fears – her determination to shield her children, Eloise, 12 and Hugo, 14, from her darkest moments; of being alone.

Yet, she was determined to grasp every minute of life with both hands – whether that be going outside to feel the rain on her face or summoning the energy to keep urging people to 'check your poo' or to donate to her fund.

As she said: 'I always said I wanted to slide in sideways when my time is up, with a massive smile, no regrets and a big glass of champagne! Still my intention!!'

Her legacy is truly extraordinary. Last night donations to her fund, which will support clinical trials and research into potentially life-saving developments as well as campaigns to raise awareness, were continuing to rocket, while health bosses have seen tens of thousands of extra visits to a NHS bowel cancer resources page since Dame Deborah launched her fund on May 9.

Dame Deborah shared this image after an operation when she revealed cancer had returned

Dame Deborah shared this image after an operation when she revealed cancer had returned

By focusing on everything Dame Deborah achieved as 'Bowelbabe', it's easy to overlook the 35 years that went before.

She was a very successful deputy headteacher, helping to turn around failing schools, a mother to two young children and rebuilding her marriage to banker husband Sebastien Bowen when her world 'shattered into tiny pieces, just days before Christmas 2016'.

She spoke and wrote about that moment, and the numerous, rollercoaster stages of the journey that followed, many times in the years that followed, first in her personal blog, then in a column she began writing for The Sun newspaper and then in the award-winning podcast You, Me & the Big C, which she hosted alongside fellow cancer sufferers Lauren Mahon and Rachael Bland.

Rachael sadly died in September 2018, with her husband Steve taking her place in the trio as the podcast continued.

As for Bowelbabe, a superhero name if ever there was one, it wasn't the creation of a slick marketing team, but rather the alter ego Dame Deborah created for herself when she started blogging after diagnosis; it projected a feeling of strength, she said.

And she needed that strength; she had seen three separate GPs, been told her symptoms were probably IBS and had rounds of tests before the blow struck: Stage 3 bowel cancer, reclassified just weeks later as stage 4 when medics realised the disease had spread to the lungs.

The super-fit vegetarian who didn't 'really fit the profile of someone with bowel cancer', but who had been experiencing symptoms (exhaustion, changed bowl habits, bleeding) for about six months was suddenly facing statistics telling her that her chance of living five years or longer was just 8 per cent.

As she wrote: 'Five years became this terrifying benchmark in my head. There was nothing I could find to make the data better – and believe me, I searched for it.

'I mourned all the milestones I would miss; my 40th birthday, seeing my kids go to secondary school, celebrating another Christmas, new decorations on the tree.' And then those very milestones kept on passing and, in December, the biggest of them – five years – also passed.

There were highs and lows which she shared with her followers (on Instagram they have grown from 495,000 to more than one million in the last weeks alone). She didn't hide the brutal treatment regime that included countless cycles of chemo, numerous operations (17 tumours removed), new treatments that were emerging only as her own journey with cancer progressed.

She wasn't embarrassed about poo. 'Check your poo' was practically her mantra.

Nor did she shy away from any opportunity to throw her arms around life: She appeared on breakfast TV in her bra and knickers, she danced with her children, she ran, she holidayed in the sunshine, she put on her lippy and she determined that whatever was going on in her life, she could make a difference.

Deborah (pictured with her children), parent to Hugo, 14, and Eloise, 12, with her husband Sebastien, was constantly labelled 'inspirational' by fans after candidly sharing her struggles on social media, as well as on Radio 5 Live's You, Me and the Big C, of which she was one of three presenters

 Deborah (pictured with her children), parent to Hugo, 14, and Eloise, 12, with her husband Sebastien, was constantly labelled 'inspirational' by fans after candidly sharing her struggles on social media, as well as on Radio 5 Live's You, Me and the Big C, of which she was one of three presenters

Through it all her family were both her driving force and her biggest support team. Covid brought the most unexpected of silver linings in that it thrust them together in a uniquely special way – not that she cosseted her children, instead she wanted them to learn to bake, plant bulbs, watch butterflies, things they could 'remember doing with me'.

And how she needed the support of her family, these last five months in particular. In January, the five-year milestone reached, she found herself in intensive care, being resuscitated as a result of huge pressure around her liver from the cancer. 'By some miracle,' she said, she got through it, but it was gruelling, far more time spent in a hospital bed than in her own. She kept getting sepsis.

In the end, as she told The Times in a tearful but uplifting interview, treatment was 'fruitless'. 'My body can't tolerate anything.

'As devastating as it is, there is almost a sense of release in knowing there is nothing more I can do. My cancer is now just taking over my body'.

It was to her parents' home in Woking that she gravitated for the last stage – for one thing, her own home in Barnes was a townhouse with stairs she could no longer tackle, but more importantly it meant she could try to avoid her own precious children forever remembering her passing in the context of their family home. Her biggest fear was leaving her children, of not seeing the moments parents look forward to.

Together with husband Seb she made a pact to be honest with them, but to do all in her power to shield them from the darkest moments. 'I want them to have nice memories,' she said. And they will. Many of them, along with the letters, memory boxes and gifts Dame Deborah busily curated in her last days.

Dame Deborah raised more than £6.7 million for research through her BowelBabe fund

Dame Deborah raised more than £6.7 million for research through her BowelBabe fund

This last task is yet further testament to Dame Deborah's ferocious drive to live her last weeks to their fullest. She called it 'death admin', which makes it sound like she was squaring away paperwork when in fact her 'admin' was a to-do list of love – the curation of memories, the funeral planning (sombre black and white 'because people look good in black and white', tequila, cremation), setting up the fund and so on.

She admitted one of the most overwhelming of sensations was the tiredness that enfolded her, but she wanted to complete one last episode of You, Me & the Big C. And she did.

She wanted to complete her second book (the first, F*** Cancer: How to Face the Big C, Live Your Life and Still Be Yourself, raised a considerable sum for charity). She did, and How to Live When You Could Be Dead (as she said, 'oh the irony of the title!') is in its final edits ready for publication in August. All royalties and £3 per book sold in the UK will go to the Bowelbabe Fund.

There were also conversations to have, not least with husband Seb. The pre-cancer period when their marriage nearly floundered, then the times when, like all partners in life, they bickered about the little things, were all firmly in the past as the ever-present clock in Dame Deborah's mind ticked away.

He 'dropped everything' she said, to be there for his wife 24/7. In one of her last newspaper interviews she admitted that she had given him 'strict instructions'. 'I want him to move on,' she said. 'He's a handsome man, I'm, like, 'Don't be taken for a ride, don't marry a bimbo, find someone else who can make you laugh like we did [together]'.'

He whisked his wife to RHS Wisley, at the crack of dawn, to celebrate the launch of her book. She posted a picture of the pair of them on Instagram, the wording particularly heartfelt.

'I love this picture of reminding me of vibrant green life all around, despite the sadness of knowing the state of my body inside,' she said. 'But Seb is an utter rock for me and together we seem to be able to squeeze our hands, swallow the tears and laugh instead.'

He was with her too when Prince William dropped in to bestow a Damehood. Normally these things are announced twice a year at either the New Year Honours or the Queen's Birthday Honours – but special circumstances decreed all stops should be pulled.

'I am utterly honoured that he joined us for afternoon tea and champagne, where he not only spent a generous amount of time talking to my whole family but also honoured me with my Damehood. It's quite surreal having a royal pop in at home, and yes you can imagine the cleaning antics and preparation went off the scale,' she later told her followers.

Seb, who quietly left his wife's own very special light to shine, said of the visit: 'It has brought a piercing ray of light and hope into this, the darkest of times.' It will doubtless be a memory Dame Deborah's family will cherish for many years to come.

But for Deborah there were other moments to delight in too: The launch of her clothing range for one, which includes the dress she wore to meet Prince William and a T-shirt bearing the slogan she made her own, 'Rebellious Hope' – a mantra expressing her philosophy and a message of positivity for everyone else.

Sipping champagne – hospice staff had to remind her that having opted for palliative care 'you can drink what you like' – and wearing a flouncy floral dress during sunny days with her family around her had something defiantly Bowelbabe about it.

'I cannot tell you guys how this partnership has kept me going through my hospital stays and taken me away from cancer,' she said of the clothing launch.

'For years, I always talked about 'dressing up to make you feel better'and over recent months all the ups and downs, being in and out of hospital, dressing up in nice clothes and popping on some lippy has made a difference to my journey.'

If a splash of lipstick made a difference to Dame Deborah's day, how much of a difference did she make to the lives of others grappling with adversity? The stream of letters that found its way to her parents' home – addressed to 'Dame Debs, staying with her parents somewhere in Woking' and the like – suggest it's something no fund can quantify.

For someone who once said she felt as if she had never 'done enough', what she crammed in to the last five years is mind-boggling.

She appreciated it, too. In her final podcast she said: 'I feel utterly flattered to have had these opportunities. Yes, I would give my cancer up in a second to have a normal life again. But to be able to do it and feel like you have had an impact is kind of one of the best feelings you can have.'

More than once, Deborah said she didn't want to be a 'sad story'. And while there will be tears at her passing, ultimately there's so much to find uplifiting about Dame Deborah James.

As the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said: 'Every now and then, someone captures the heart of the nation with their zest for life & tenacious desire to give back to society. @bowelbabe is one of those special people.'

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