Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Gemma Jones

Bowel Babe Deborah James reminds people to 'celebrate life' in heartfelt update

Dame Deborah James gave an emotional health update on Lorraine today.

The avid campaigner, known online as Bowel Babe, is currently receiving end-of-life care at home after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016. Since being diagnosed she has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and increase understanding of the condition.

Today she appeared on the ITV talk show to talk about the importance of participating in the Race For Life. While chatting to the Scottish host, via video link, Deborah gave an update on how she was doing.

READ MORE: Red flag bowel cancer symptoms that led to Deborah James' diagnosis

She said: "I am doing ok. I am stable. I think stable is a good thing. I am taking life slowly, I am not on social media too much and just spending time in the garden with my family.

"A much slower pace of life, which is not what I'm used to. Physically I am quite tired but mentally I am still a campaigner. I am still asking people to check their poo and I'm still on it about getting that messaging on loo roll across the country."

She later added: "I'm just taking life day by day as I said at the beginning and I'm continuing to feel blessed knowing that my time is limited. But at the same time, if truth be told, I have already outlived, yet again, what I was told when I was sent home from the hospital. So even I am a bit surprised.

"It's having that sense of purpose, getting involved, continuing with the campaigning that is keeping me going. The Bowel Babe fund I am so proud of and it's a legacy that I am so proud to leave behind when I am no longer here. But for the moment I am here, I am alive and kicking as much as I can."

Deborah went on to explain the importance of the Race For Life campaign - a cancer charity that she has been an ambassador of since 2019. She said: "You can walk it, everyone can be there, your kids can join in and you can celebrate life or celebrate someone else's life. It is about having fun and that is why Race For Life is so important to me."

Receive newsletters with the biggest and breaking TV and showbiz news by signing up here

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.