The mother of Dame Deborah James has spoken of how her daughter "always enjoyed her life" and was so positive "right up to the last breath she took". Heather James appeared on ITV’s Lorraine to mark the release of Deborah’s book 'How To Live When You Could Be Dead'.
Campaigner Deborah, who was also known by her social media handle Bowelbabe, sadly died in June this year at the age of 40, after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016. In her final months, the presenter of the You, Me And The Big C podcast raised almost £7million for cancer research through her Bowelbabe fund.
In her first studio interview since Deborah's death, Heather paid a loving tribute to her daughter and revealed her loss is becoming harder as time passes. “We knew she’d come home to die, but you still have that little bit of hope, ‘Did they get it wrong?’," She told host Christine Lampard.
"She lived longer than the first time we were given. I actually find it harder now as the weeks go on, because it’s been longer since I’ve spoken to her and, like this, she should be here doing this.
"This is out of my comfort zone but I would do it for her and I know she is with me in spirit and I'm sure she's looking down saying 'Mum, you can do this'.
Speaking of her daughter, Heather, who is also known as @Bowelgran on Instagram, said: "She was such a positive person, full of energy, right up to the last breath she took. She wanted life and loved life so much and she wanted everybody else to experience the positivity of life.
"What a great way to lead your life, and if we could all just take a little bit of that hope and positivity that she had and mindset – that is what the book hopefully will help you to achieve.”
Dame Deborah started writing her second book 'How To Live When You Could Be Dead' two years ago and completed the final two chapters while living at her parents’ home during the last few weeks of her life. Her mum revealed they were "quite emotional" to read.
“Not the ending she expected when she started the book two years ago," her mum said on Lorraine: "But she didn’t know then how long she’d have and she had two extra years so that was amazing. I’ve read the last chapters now and they’re very emotional but very, very good advice to the children, so that’s good.”
Lorraine airs weekdays on ITV and ITV Hub from 9am. Dame Deborah James' book 'How To Live When You Could Be Dead' is out now.
What is happening where you live? Find out by adding your postcode or visit InYourArea
