Ever since being diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer five years ago, Dame Deborah James tirelessly campaigned to raise awareness so that others wouldn't share her fate.
And in the last six weeks since sharing the "message [she] never wanted to write", she raised over £6.7million for Cancer Research UK, was awarded a damehood and left behind a legacy that her children would be able to look back on with pride for the rest of their lives.
Heartbreakingly, her family announced on Tuesday night that the beloved BBC star had died peacefully while surrounded by loved ones.
Her final public outing saw her attend Royal Ascot on June 15 with her brother and his fiancée, beaming from her wheelchair in a glam polka dot dress.
Sharing the photos of herself mingling with other celebs at the event, she wrote on Instagram afterwards: "Yesterday was really special as with a lot of effort and help I actually made it to @ascotracecourse once again.
"I honestly have to pinch myself that I’ve been well enough each day to do something like this. Another favourite I’d had in mind and a fab milestone to say 'ain’t dead yet!'"
Deborah continued: "Obviously like most haven’t been for a while due to covid, but so nice to be back and thank you to @ascotracecourse for making the whole experience for me and my brother just seamless and achievable for me.
"Memories made, but most importantly I got 3 wins in a row and am still bouncing off the ceiling from them still!!!"
Among those she rubbed shoulders with included Ruth Langsford, who gushed that she was "amazed" by Deborah's high spirits at the time.
"Honestly, the strength of her character is just incredible," Ruth said to Lorraine Kelly earlier this month.
"It was truly amazing to see her there. I can't imagine the strength it took for her to actually get out of the house.
"She had such a huge beaming smile when she spoke. She is honestly the most incredible woman.
"She still has so much positivity. She seems to have that spirit even though she knows she's dying. It was an absolute honour to meet her."
After attending the event, Deborah admitted that she felt "knackered" and thanked her dad for "holding her up".
Since her death was announced, a number of stars have shared their condolences on Twitter.
Carol Vorderman tweeted: "“Rest in peace @Bowelbabe. Your incredible spirit will live on.”
While TV presenter Gaby Roslin tweeted: “Bye bye my beautiful friend Deborah.
“You will forever shine so brightly. Thank you for all you did. For the laughter, the dancing and most importantly for all you did in your short lifetime for others.
“My love to all of the family. Just so heartbreaking”.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that because of Dame Deborah “many many lives will be saved”.
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.”
While Deborah's mum Heather said her heart is “broken” following the death of her daughter.
