Dame Deborah James, the cancer campaigner, blogger, broadcaster and former teacher, has died at the age of 40. She had been receiving end-of-life care for bowel cancer at home and had raised millions for cancer research.
The host of the BBC's You, Me and the Big C podcast was given a damehood in May in recognition of her fundraising. Dame Deborah, a mother of two, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016. Her family described her as "amazing" and an "inspiration".
Her family announced her death in a post on her Instagram page, stating: "We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Dame Deborah James; the most amazing wife, daughter, sister, mummy." They said she shared her experience of cancer to "raise awareness, break down barriers, challenge taboos and change the conversation around cancer".
Dame Deborah was praised for her no-nonsense approach to talking about cancer. She started a cancer blog, wrote for the Sun and became a BBC broadcaster. In May, she announced she was no longer receiving active care and launched the Bowelbabe fund, which raised almost £7 million for cancer research.
She was given a damehood by Prince William at her parents' home in Woking, Surrey. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge praised her "tireless efforts" and thanked her for "giving hope" to those living with the disease. Prime Minister Boris Johnson described her as "an inspiration to so many", while Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said her charity work was "truly inspirational".
Bowel Cancer UK, of which Dame Deborah was a patron, said she had turned her diagnosis "into an incredible force for good" and would save countless lives. In her final podcast, she urged listeners: "Check your poo. Come on. I can't leave on any other word apart from check your poo."
