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Tributes have been paid online to Dame Deborah James, after the journalist and podcast host's death at the age of 40. She had been diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016, and recently been receiving end-of-life care at home. In June, she celebrated a milestone, raising a huge £1 million for charity, through In The Style, her online fashion company. Dame Deborah was described as ‘amazing’ and an ‘inspiration’ by her family, who announced the news on her Instagram page. ‘We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Dame Deborah James; the most amazing wife, daughter, sister, mummy,’ it said.
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Dame Deborah James was a former deputy headmistress and also hosted the You, Me & the Big C podcast alongside Steve Bland, Deborah James and Lauren Mahon. Her final episode was released in May, titled ‘Deborah James’ Last Dance’, where she talked about her decision to spend final days of life at her parents’ home, saying ‘it was where I always wanted to die’. She also said that she wanted her London home to be a place her children could go back to without ‘medical equipment scars everywhere’.
George Alagiah, BBC News presenter, who is living with bowel cancer reflected on his conservation with Dame Deborah at the Royal Marsden Hospital.
Knowing that @bowelbabe Dame Deborah James was nearing the end of her journey here does not make her passing any easier to accept. She was a beacon, lighting the way for all of us #livingwithcancer. Thank you for your example. Deborah, rest in peace now.
— George Alagiah (@BBCAlagiah) June 28, 2022
Keir Starmer said Dame Deborah's charity work was ‘truly inspirational’.
Deeply sad news.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 28, 2022
Dame Deborah James’ charity work was truly inspirational — even in the most challenging moments, she continued to raise awareness about bowel cancer and impacted so many people’s lives.
Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time. https://t.co/h4FikzkF5F
Lizzie Parry, who edited Dame Deborah's column in the Sun newspaper, said: ‘Even in her final days, as she faced her death, my bonkers, beautiful and bloody-minded friend refused to stop.’
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