Lorraine Kelly has paid an emotional tribute to her 'incredible friend' and cancer campaigner Deborah James who passed away on Tuesday (June 28). Deborah, also known as the Bowel Babe, was diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer in 2016 and bravely fought the disease for five years.
The 40-year-old podcast host campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness of bowel cancer and was recently honoured with a damehood by Prince William for her remarkable fundraising efforts. Deborah raised more than £6.8 million for Cancer Research UK through her Bowelbabe fund on Just Giving after announcing she was receiving end of life care in May.
Presenter Lorraine dedicated her breakfast show to her friend Deborah, showing a montage of clips of the mum-of-two being interviewed on the ITV show, her fundraising efforts, interviews and tributes that have flooded in from her friends and loved ones.
READ MORE: 'Take risks, love deeply and have no regrets' - Dame Deborah James' inspiring final message
Starting the show on Tuesday, Lorraine said: "We are starting with the very sad news that our friend the inspirational Dame Deborah James has died aged 40. She died peacefully surrounded by her family.
"Her final inspirational message posted on Instagram read 'Find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope. And finally, check your poo - it could just save your life."
A montage of footage then played narrated with a voiceover by Lorraine, showing videos and pictures of the Bowel Babe during her battle with cancer. Emotional clips showed Deborah alongside her family and friends, as well as her inspirational campaigning efforts to raise money for the cause.
After the heartbreaking montage finished, Lorraine was left fighting back tears. Speaking to Deborah's friend and a producer who joined the show alongside her, a tearful Lorraine apologised and said: "Sorry, just seeing that, we knew this was going to happen but it still doesn't seem quite real."
Deborah's close friend Steve Bland responded: "No it doesn't, last night was very surreal, I was very numb. I was awake at the crack of dawn this morning and it just hit me. We've known for five and a half years that this was incurable. What she's packed into those years, the people that she's helped and the lives that she's saved makes her all the more remarkable."
Deborah spent her final weeks receiving end-of-life care at home with her husband, Sebastien, and their two children.
Her family announced her death in a statement on Instagram and said she passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones.
Last night, Deborah's mum Heather paid a touching tribute to her daughter on social media. On her Instagram account, which has the handle Bowel Gran, she shared a picture of Deborah and wrote: "My heart is broken."
On another post she then added: "Love you forever." Heather also shared their family statement following Deborah's death.
The statement in full said: "Dame Deborah James. We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Dame Deborah James; the most amazing wife, daughter, sister, mummy. Deborah passed away peacefully today, surrounded by her family.
"Deborah, who many of you will know as Bowelbabe, was an inspiration and we are incredibly proud of her and her work and commitment to charitable campaigning, fundraising and her endless efforts to raise awareness of cancer that touched so many lives.
"Deborah shared her experience with the world to raise awareness, break down barriers, challenge taboos and change the conversation around cancer. Even in her most challenging moments, her determination to raise money and awareness was inspiring.
"We thank you for giving us time in private as a family, and we look forward to continuing Deborah’s legacy long into the future through the @bowelbabefund. Thank you for playing your part in her journey, you are all incredible.
"And a few final things from Deborah…“find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope. And finally, check your poo – it could just save your life.” x (Shared with Deborah’s permission)."
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