Viewers of Lady Deborah James: The Last Dance was left in tears at the beautiful tribute to her life and legacy.
The programme, which aired Thursday on BBC One, two days after Dame Deborah died of colon cancer at the age of 40, chartered courage during her five-year battle with the terminal illness.
Friends of the podcast host, including Lorraine Kelly and Gaby Roslin, paid tribute to Dame Deborah’s incredible energy and positivity, even as she knew her life was coming to an end after being transferred to a home hospice.
Viewers were moved by the scenes of Dame Deborah dancing and enjoying every moment of her life, tweeting: ”what an inspiring and wonderful lady. Deborah James such an incredible lady wow’.
Others added: ‘Dame Deborah James, what a truly wonderful lady, I am in tears watching her’ and ‘I break my heart when I watch Dame Deborah James on bbc1. No one deserves to go through that, cancer sucks!!! @darmbabe RIP beautiful lady.
Some were left in tears, admitting: ‘This Deborah James documentary is truly heartbreaking, may god rest her soul’ and ‘Watching the tribute to Dame Deborah James @darmbabe on BBC1 in a flood of tears, and then laughing the next. Inspiring.’
Dame Deborah’s parents called on viewers to raise a glass in her memory while watching the show and shared a photo of them with clinking glasses of red wine.
They had shared the news of her passing on her Instagram account on Tuesday, writing: ‘We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Dame Deborah James; the most wonderful woman, daughter, sister, mama.’
The statement revealed she had “passed away peacefully surrounded by her family,” adding: “And a few last things from Deborah…
‘Find a life worth enjoying; Take risks; deeply grounded love; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hopes. And finally, check your poop – it could save your life.” x’
Dame Deborah James: The Last Dance is now available on BBC iPlayer.
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