Deborah James Biography – Deborah James Wiki
Deborah James born (Dame) Deborah Anne James was an English journalist, educator, podcast host, and charity campaigner from London. In 2016, she was diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer and went on to host the You, Me and the Big C podcast on BBC Radio 5 Live about her struggles with the illness.
She was a deputy head teacher specializing in computer science and e-learning at Salesian School, Chertsey, and later moved to the Matthew Arnold School in Staines-upon-Thames where she worked up until her diagnosis with bowel cancer. She started working as a journalist and columnist for The Sun, detailing her cancer journey. In March 2018, she started presenting the You, Me and the Big C podcast for BBC Radio 5, alongside fellow cancer patients Lauren Mahon and Rachael Bland, the latter of whom died in September 2018. In October 2018, she released her book F*** You Cancer: How to Face the Big C, Live Your Life and Still Be Yourself.
In April 2021, she launched the annual #NoButts bowel cancer awareness campaign on Lorraine Kelly’s ITV show, Lorraine, which ran again in April 2022. In June 2021, after undergoing multiple treatments, she said her cancer was moving in “the wrong direction” and that the drugs she was relying on were no longer effective. In May 2022, James posted an update on her condition on social media, stating that she was receiving hospice-at-home care and that “her body just couldn’t continue anymore”. Less than 48 hours after her post, over £3 million was raised for her campaign, the Bowelbabe Fund. Two days later, James was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). Her damehood was conferred on her by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, at her family home.
As her health declined, she spent time with her family and worked on her final book, How to Live When You Could Be Dead, due to be published on August 18, 2022.
In her last You, Me and the Big C podcast, with the show’s producer, Mike Holt, broadcast on May 10, 2022, Deborah talked about how the lack of community care meant that she was deprived of three of her final weeks at home, but also about how the podcast had given her purpose and strength. Her final words to her devoted audience spoke volumes about her approach and her concern: “Check your poo.” After finally getting hospice care, she spent her last days at her parents’ home in Surrey, to make sure her family home in London could continue to be a happy place for her children.
According to her obituary, her final wish was for a fund in her name to raise money for projects close to her heart, including clinical trials, personalized medicine, and awareness campaigns, with links to charities including Cancer Research UK, and Bowel Cancer UK, and the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. “Before I die, the one thing I knew I wanted to do was set up a fund that can continue working on things that gave me life,” she said. She hoped the Bowelbabe Fund, set up on 9 May, would raise £250,000. It has raised more than £6m.
She attended Salesian School, Chertsey, later going on to study economics at the University of Exeter.
Deborah James Age
Her birth name was Deborah Anne James. She was born on October 1, 1981, in London, England, and died on June 28, 2022, in
Woking, England. She died at the age of 40.
Deborah James Husband
James was married to Sebastien Bowen in 2008 and the couple had two children. In 2005, she met Sebastien Bowen, an investment banker, whom she married three years later, and they had two children. The couple separated in 2014, living in different homes, but reconciled in 2016 after counseling sessions during divorce proceedings brought them back together. Deborah received her cancer diagnosis a month later.
Deborah James Children
She had two children Hugo and Eloise.
Deborah James Parents
She was the daughter of Heather, a preschool gymnastics coach who has her own Instagram account as @bowelgran, and Alistair James.
Deborah James Death
In her final days, she resided at her parents’ house in Woking, Surrey, where she died on 28 June 2022, aged 40, from bowel cancer. Her family announced via an Instagram post, “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)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson described her as, “an absolute inspiration” and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said in a statement, “Deborah was an inspirational and unfalteringly brave woman whose legacy will live on.”
Deborah James Cause of Death
In her final days, James lived at her parents’ house in Woking, Surrey, where she died on June 28, 2022, aged 40, from bowel cancer.
Deborah James Instagram
Her Instagram handle was @bowelbabe.
