Dame Deborah James’ mum pays heartbreaking tribute to her daughter

Dame Deborah James’ devastated mum has spoken of her heartbreak following her daughter’s death at the age of forty.

It was announced yesterday that Deborah had passed away peacefully at home after a five-year battle with inoperable bowel cancer.

Deborah – known as Bowel Babe online – was moved into end-of-life hospice care back in May and, in that short time, was able to raise over £6.7 million for her Bowel Babe Fund, which raises money for Cancer Research UK, Bowel Cancer UK and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Following the news of her tragic death, Deobrah’s mum Heather James paid a touching tribute to her daughter on social media.

@bowelgran / Instagram

On her Instagram account, where she goes by the handle Bowel Gran, she shared a picture of Deborah and wrote: “My heart is broken.”

Sharing a video of her daughter dancing on holiday, she wrote in her next post: “Love you forever.”

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The full announcement by Deborah’s family last night read: “We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Dame Deborah James; the most amazing wife, daughter, sister, mummy.

“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”.

The message concluded with some final words from Deborah herself: “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 tributes have been flooding in since the announcement, with the Prime Minister writing on Twitter: “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.”

Steve Bland, who co-presented the BBC podcast You, Me and the Big C with Deborah, said: “Everyone sees this amazing cancer campaigner, but to them [her family], she’s is a mum, wife and daughter.” 

Deborah was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in 2016, and grew in popularity with her candid social media updates and various charitable efforts for cancer research.