Tributes poured in for Lady Deborah James after her family confirmed she had died at the age of 40 after a long battle with bowel cancer.
Messages praised the mother of two for her inspiring fundraising, her ‘tireless’ campaigns and her incredible legacy.
The podcaster and campaigner revealed in early May that she had stopped active treatment and received end-of-life care at her parents’ home in Woking, with her husband Sebastien and their two children on hand.
In her final weeks, the presenter of the BBC podcast You, Me And The Big C raised millions of pounds for research and was made a lady for her ‘tireless’ work to improve awareness of the disease.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson led the thousands of tributes paid to the dedicated campaigner, calling her an ‘inspiration’ and saying that because of her campaign work ‘many, many lives will be saved’.
He wrote on Twitter: ‘I am terribly saddened to hear that Lady Deborah James has died. What an inspiration she was to so many.
BBC podcast host Deborah James has died after a five-year battle with bowel cancer, her family announced in an Instagram post, which included this photo above
The death of podcast host Dame Deborah James at the age of 40 has been announced by her family
‘The awareness she has brought for bowel cancer and the research that has funded her campaign will be her lasting legacy.
“Because of her, many, many lives will be saved.”
Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said the news of her death was “deeply saddening”.
He added: ‘Dame Deborah James’ charity work was truly inspiring – even in the most challenging moments, she continued to raise awareness about bowel cancer and affect so many people’s lives.
“Our thoughts are with her family and friends during this difficult time.”
Her mother, Heather, said her heart was “broken” after the death of her 40-year-old daughter from bowel cancer.
Heather James, whose handle on social media site Bowelgran is, shared a series of photos of Dame Deborah and wrote: ‘My heart is broken. I love you forever. ‘
Dame Deborah has raised more than £ 6.7 million for research through her BowelBabe fund in her last weeks and has been made a lady for her ‘tireless’ work to raise awareness
Lady Deborah shared this image after an operation when she revealed that cancer had returned
Fans, politicians and celebrities also rushed to show their respect to the inspiring campaigner.
Secretary of State Michelle Donelan tweeted: ‘RIP Deborah James – a selfless inspiration. Thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. ‘
First Dates personality Fred Sirieix tweeted: ‘Deborah James has passed away. Poor thing. TEAR’
Meanwhile, Piers Morgan tweeted: ‘RIP Lady Deborah James, or Bowel Babe. A truly remarkable and inspiring woman. Such sad news. ‘
Good Morning Britain host Charlotte Hawkins described Lady Deborah James as an ‘inspiration’.
She tweeted: ‘Oh no … heartbreaking news that @bowelbabe has left us. What an inspiration, a truly special person who saved lives and did so much to help others.
BBC podcast host Deborah James has died after a five-year battle with cancer
In recent weeks she has been made a lady by the Duke of Cambridge at her family home, and William praised her for ‘going above and beyond to make a very special memory’
‘Who showed that even a terminal diagnosis would not completely stop her life. So much love for her family and friends. ‘
Carol Vorderman also paid tribute to Dame Deborah James and tweeted: ‘Rest in peace @Bowelbabe. Your incredible spirit will live on. ‘
BBC radio presenter Chris Stark tweeted that Dame Deborah was an inspiration to many.
“Give me Deborah James,” I tweeted.
“You have inspired so much and done everything fully. No one can do more than that. I hope we can drink a gin wherever it leads.
‘Think of your family and friends and everyone who goes through similar. Rest in peace Debs x ‘
Angela Rayner, deputy Labor leader, described Dame Deborah as an ‘extraordinary campaigner’.
She tweeted: ‘Rest in peace Deborah James. What an amazing, bright, bright and brilliant woman.
‘An absolutely extraordinary fighter. Thank you for your rebellious hope and the millions you inspired @bowelbabe.
‘Think of your many loved ones’.
TV presenter Julia Bradbury said Dame Deborah was “the most incredible ambassador of life”.
She tweeted: ‘Heartbroken that Lady Deborah James has died.
‘She was the most incredible ambassador of life and a cancer fighter.
“My thoughts are with her family and children. Such a huge loss. Your bright light will shine on Deborah. ‘
TV presenter Gaby Roslin tweeted: ‘Goodbye my beautiful friend Deborah.
“You will shine so brightly forever. Thank you for everything you have done. For the laughter, the dancing and most importantly for everything you have done for others in your short life.
My love for the whole family. Just as heartbreaking.
Tributes also came from the bowel cancer charities that benefited from her work.
A tweet from Macmillan Cancer Support said: ‘We are so sad to hear that Deborah James has died, and our thoughts are with her family and many friends.
“Deb was an inspiration to us all. We are so grateful for all her generous support over the years, and her dedication to working with people with cancer. ‘
Genevieve Edwards, CEO of Bowel Cancer UK, where Dame Deborah was a patron, said: ‘We are deeply saddened that our patron Dame Deborah James has passed away, and our hearts go out to her family and all who knew and loved her has. Deborah’s star shone brightly; she was a real inspiration.
‘She has turned her diagnosis of bowel cancer into an incredible force for good and through her tireless campaign to raise awareness of bowel cancer symptoms, she will have saved numerous lives.
Deborah brought warmth, energy and honesty to everything she did. Even during her most difficult times with bowel cancer, she never stopped helping others.
Deborah (pictured with her children), parent of Hugo (14) and Eloise (12), along with her husband Sebastien, were constantly described by fans as ‘inspiring’ after openly sharing her struggle
“We are truly grateful to know Deborah and to call her our friend. She was a powerful patron of Bowel Cancer UK, leaving a wonderful legacy through her BowelBabe Fund, a testament to the love and admiration that so many have had for her. ‘
NHS CEO Amanda Pritchard said in a statement: ‘On behalf of the entire NHS, I would like to express my condolences to the family and many friends of Deborah James.
Deborah’s wonderful attitude was humble and a lesson to us all.
“Not only will her fundraising have helped numerous other cancer patients, but her determination to raise awareness will undoubtedly have saved many lives.”
Angela Rayner, deputy Labor leader, tweeted: ‘Rest in peace Deborah James. What an amazing, bright, bright and brilliant woman.
‘An absolutely extraordinary fighter. Thank you for your rebellious hope and the millions you inspired @bowelbabe. Think of your many loved ones. ‘
Comedian Mark Watson said Dame Deborah was “a person of incredible perseverance who turned the worst possible situation into an opportunity to inspire and educate”.
Dame Deborah has raised more than £ 6.7 million for research through her BowelBabe fund in her last weeks and has been made a lady for her ‘tireless’ work to improve awareness of the disease.
For her efforts she was made a lady, and later she said she felt ‘honored and shocked’ to be considered even for the honor.
In another surprise, her femininity was awarded by the Duke of Cambridge, who joined her family for afternoon tea and champagne at home.
Damehoods are usually handed out by members of the royal family, including William, at investment ceremonies held at royal palaces, including Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.
She also revealed that she has completed her second book, entitled How To Live When You Could Be Dead, which would be published on August 18th.
Her first book, F *** You Cancer: How To Face The Big C, Live Your Life And Still Be Yourself, was published in 2018.