Inspirational to the end, Dame Deborah loses cancer battle
DAME Deborah James has died at the age of 40 following a six-year battle with bowel cancer.
The broadcaster and cancer campaigner’s family announced that she had passed away last night.
Posting on her Instagram account, underneath a photograph of her smiling against the backdrop of a peaceful sunset, 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.’
Prime Minister Boris Johnson last night said ‘many many lives will be saved’ because of Dame Deborah’s heroic fundraising and campaigning activities.
He tweeted: ‘I’m terribly saddened to hear that Dame Deborah James has died.
‘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.’
Dame Deborah’s family called her an inspiration and said they were ‘incredibly proud of her and her work and commitment to charitable campaigning, fundraising and her endless efforts to raise awareness of cancer’.
They vowed to continue her extraordinary legacy.
The Instagram post contained a final message from Dame Deborah herself, who wished to tell her followers: ‘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.’
Tributes have flooded in for the creator of You, Me and the Big C – a BBC podcast addressing the myths and unspoken topics of cancer.
Dame Deborah, also called Bowelbabe, gave frank accounts about living with cancer, and inspired millions of pounds worth of donations towards cancer research.
Her work has been supported by the Royal Family, including Prince William – who personally delivered her damehood at her parents’ house last month, where she was receiving end of life care. Known for her warmth and positivity, what she termed her ‘rebellious hope’, even in her final days Dame Deborah was seen smiling. Most recently, she visited Royal Ascot with her brother Benjamin.
In early May Dame Deborah said on social media that she had stopped treatment and was receiving palliative care.
She said on Twitter: ‘The time has come to say goodbye. Five years to prepare, doesn’t make it any easy. I’m under hospice at home care, & I’m spending my time surrounded by my family.’
She asked for her followers to donate to her Bowelbabe fund towards cancer research in her memory that has since raised an incredible £6.75million.
Excursions in her final weeks, which Dame Deborah admitted had proved ‘ exhausting’, 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.
The mother-of-two had a rose named after her at the flower show, which she hoped her daughter Eloise, 12, would one day carry down the aisle in her wedding bouquet.
She said: ‘What breaks my heart and brings me the most beautiful thought, is that this variety will and can now be grown forever, and maybe one day even Eloise might choose to have it in her wedding bouquet.’ Part of the sales of the rose will also go towards her Bowelbabe fund.
Last night BBC director-general Tim Davie said: ‘Dame Deborah James was a true inspiration. We’re so proud to have worked with her at the BBC.
‘The way she talked about, and faced up to her cancer, inspired change and undoubtedly saved lives. Our deepest sympathies are with her family, friends, followers, and her 5 Live family.’ Genevieve Edwards, Bowel Cancer
‘She never stopped helping others’
‘Her star shone bright’
UK chief executive, 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. 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.’ Labour leader Keir Starmer said on Twitter: ‘Dame Deborah James’ charity work was truly inspirational... our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time.’