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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zara Woodcock

Deborah James' heartbreak over not being able to see her son as a father

Dame Deborah James shared her heartbreak about not being able to see her son as a father prior to her death.

On Tuesday, her family announced that the podcast host and mother-of-two had died peacefully surrounded by family, aged 40.

In May, Deborah revealed that she was receiving end of life treatment and that she didn't have much longer left. She has since gone on to raise over £6.7million for charity, received a damehood and created a legacy for her children.

Earlier this month, she penned a heartbreaking message as she prepared for Father's Day.

The campaigner reminded people to tell their fathers that they love them while they can and discussed her 14-year-old son Hugo.

She explained: “I’ve not always been a big one for telling Dad how much I love him, so take it from me, just say it. You never know when it might be your last chance.”

"It's too hard to think about, the idea I won’t see my son as a father," she added to The Sun.

Deborah also gushed over her incredible husband Seb - who she shares Hugo and 12-year-old Eloise with.

Deborah James said that she was heartbroken about not seeing her son as a father (Instagram/ @bowelbabe)

"For me, this year it’s about my dad and Seb, but it’s also about the men in my life who will hopefully one day be fathers too, my son and brother," she added.

Deborah previously said that she was "continuing to feel blessed that she had another day" and that she had already outlived the life expectancy diagnosis she had received from the hospital.

The couple with their two children Eloise and Hugo (bowelbabe/Instagram)
Deborah previously praised her husband for being her rock (Dave Benett/Getty Images for JW Marriott Grosvenor House London)

She had been diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer and has been sharing her brave battle with her loyal followers since her journey began five years ago.

Over the last month, she has been living her life to the fullest and enjoyed attending the Opera and then the Royal Ascot.

Deborah managed to attend the races with her brother and his fiancée.

She attended Ascot earlier this month (Instagram)
Deborah looking gorgeous in a polka-dot dress (Dave Benett/Getty Images for Roy)

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Reflecting on her enjoyment of the glamorous occasion, Deborah admitted she was feeling 'knackered' as she thanked her dad for helping her through.

Last night, she took to Instagram to share she has launched a range of Rebellious Hope T-shirts in a bid to raise even more money for the BowelBabe fund.

She posted: "I may be knackered today from Ascot yesterday, but dad is there to hold me up."

Deborah opened up about her children (Instagram)

The star previously shared a photo of her beaming for the camera beside her brother and his wife-to-be at the races.

"Yesterday was really special as with a lot of effort and help I actually made it to @ascotracecourse once again," she captioned the cheerful images on her BowelBabe Instagram page.

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