Dame Deborah James has sadly passed away at the age of 40, after battling bowel cancer for five years. The tragic news was announced on 28 June on the journalist and podcaster's Instagram page, with Deborah's family releasing a lengthy statement alongside a stunning photograph of the star and a clip of her happily dancing.
Deborah's family finished off the message by sharing a brief note from Deborah herself, with her permission, which said: "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)". In her final years, Dame Deborah, who was also known as Bowel Babe, used her terminal diagnosis of stage four bowel cancer to inspire the public and raise millions for charity.The former deputy headteacher gained more than 900,000 followers on social media as she documented the high and lows of her treatment with a unique sense of humour and optimism.
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