BBC Breakfast's Dan Walker had to take over as co-host Sally Nugent was left in tears during the programme. The pair were discussing the heart-wrenching final social media post of Deborah James during the morning news programme on Tuesday, May 10.
It's a devastating story and Breakfast star Sally Nugent choked back her tears as she paid a tribute to award-winning BBC podcast host. Deborah shared the latest from her battle with bowel cancer, as her life tragically nears its end.
Dan Walker said: "Now, many of you will know Deborah James. She is the presenter of You, Me and the Big C podcast and she's been on this programme many times as well.
"We have been fortunate enough to have her not only on the sofa, but during the pandemic we spoke to her on numerous occasions, didn't we?" Sally continued: "Sadly, Deborah - who was diagnosed with bowel cancer five years ago - shared a message on her Instagram account yesterday saying she's now been moved to hospice-at-home care.
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"These are her words now: 'The message I never wanted to write. We've tried everything, but my body simply isn't playing ball'." Dan said: "Deborah has now announced she's set up the Bowel Babe fund in her name, to try and raise money for cancer research.
"She included links to some of the charities closer to her, including Cancer Research UK, The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and Bowel Cancer UK. And there's been so much money, hasn't there, donated?" Dan added "I think just over £700,000 already in the last few hours since she put that out last night, which is an incredible amount of money.
"I think the point was she wanted people to buy her a drink, but buy her a drink in terms of giving money to those charities." Lorraine Kelly also paid tribute today, saying: "If you can, give whatever you can. Even if it is just £1. She has already saved lives, we know - remember Charlotte, Charlotte watched Deborah last year and thought 'oh, that feels something I need to see the doctor about', and she got it sorted and she's fine. We'll never know how many lives she saved."
Donations to Deborah James' fundraising page for Cancer Research UK has been flooded with contributions and messages of sorrow and support. The Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK currently sits at £2,278,878.
