Dame Deborah James has died at the age of 40 following bowel cancer battle

Lorraine: Deborah James says she 'doesn't know how I'm alive'

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Deborah James has died from bowel cancer at the age of 40. Her death comes after she wished her fans goodbye in a poignant Instagram post, setting up a fund to raise money for bowel cancer charities in her generous final wish.

The BBC podcast host leaves behind her husband Sebastien Bowen, and two children Hugo, 14, and Eloise, 12.

In May, she shared the heartbreaking news with her 404k Instagram followers that she had ended her active cancer treatment and was moving into hospice at home care. 

“The message I never wanted to write,” she began.

“We have tried everything, but my body simply isn’t playing ball.

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Deborah James (@bowelbabe)

Since then, Deborah has built up a huge fanbase as she shared her cancer journey with the world. 

The star has been the face of the No Butts campaign, helping people to spot the signs of bowel cancer early, and has now set up a fund for bowel cancer charities, called the Bowelbabe Fund. 

She continued: “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 signed off her heartbreaking message: “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!

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