Deborah James breaks down in tears over ‘hard conversations’ with children in heartbreaking interview

BBC Podcaster and cancer campaigner Deborah James broke down in tears this morning as she recalled the ‘hard conversations’ she had with her children about her death. 

After being diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in 2016, the former deputy head teacher become heavily involved in charity work to raise money and awareness for cancer research, and grew a loyal fan base on Instagram, where she is known as Bowel Babe.

But on Monday evening, the mother-of-two shared the ‘message I never wanted to write’, announcing that her treatment had been stopped and she had been moved into hospice at home care.

Deborah is now spending her final days at home surrounded by her family and, this morning, she opened up about the ‘hard conversations’ she’s been forced to have with her children, Hugo and Eloise. 

Appearing from her home on BBC Breakfast this morning, she said: “I’ve always said I don’t want to leave any stone unturned – I don’t think there isn’t a stone we haven’t tried to unturn to make my liver work again in order to get my body functioning.

“Unfortunately I’m exhausted – I’m absolutely exhausted. We’ve got to the point now where I can’t really do anything more.”

Becoming visibly emotional, she continued: “I have a really loving family who I adore. Honestly, they’re incredible and all I knew I wanted was to come here and be able to relax knowing that everything was OK.

“I’ve had some really hard conversations during the last week.”

She went on to praise her husband for his strength, saying she knows her children are going to be ‘more than looked after’.

“I trust my husband… He’s just the most wonderful man. And so is my family. I know that my kids are going to be more than looked after and surrounded by love.

“My kids are going to be fine.”

On Monday, Deborah shared the heartbreaking news that her cancer treatment had been stopped, writing: “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.”

Deborah went on to ask people to ‘buy a drink for her’ by donating to her newly established Bowel Babe Fund, which raises awareness and money for charities close to her heart, including Cancer Research UK, Bowel Cancer UK and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

At the time of writing, the Bowel Babe Fund has raised an incredible £2.5m. Donate for yourself here.

Deborah is best known as one of the presenters of the BBC podcast You, Me And The Big C, and her work with ITV on the No Butts Campaign, which spreads awareness and information on bowel cancer and its symptoms. 

For more information on bowel cancer and the signs to look out for, visit the Bowel Cancer UK website.