Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Tom Kershaw & Helena Vesty

Cancer campaigner Deborah James returns to 'favourite place' in heartbreaking throwback picture

Cancer campaigner Dame Deborah James showed defiance against her terminal diagnosis as she got dressed up to watch the opera at her 'favourite place'. The 40-year-old activist, also known as Bowel Babe, got glammed up to watch La Boheme at Glyndebourne in Sussex with husband Sebastian, before sharing a heartbreaking comparison picture from five years ago.

Mum-of-two Deborah looked beautiful wearing a silver dress and matching shawl, but then she showed a pic of herself at the event five years ago. In 2017, the star rocked up at the opera house looking fresh faced wearing a black sleeveless dress and drinking champagne, reports LeicestershireLive .

READ MORE: Mum traumatised as her babies 'flung to the floor' and hurt after bus smashed into building in horror crash

She also shared a pic of her and Seb in Glyndebourne's grounds with the caption: "Seb looking dapper in his black tie." Sadly Deborah is now unable to walk and admits just getting dressed is "exhausting".

But she isn't going to let her illness stop her from getting out there. Taking to Instagram to compare the photos, she said: "I was actually here five years ago to the week last time. At that point I was seven months into my diagnosis, and once again just trying to make the most of not knowing what lay ahead."

The TV presenter then posted a heartfelt message thanking the opera company for accommodating her. She was made a Dame last month for her monumental efforts to raise cancer awareness.

Deborah's comparison picture (Instagram/LeicestershireLive)

Since starting her journey, Deborah has raised more than £6 million for charity and touched hearts across the globe with her story. She is a tireless campaigner with her latest plan aimed at getting loo roll companies putting bowel cancer signs on their packaging.

In news which shocked her friends, the podcast host revealed she was receiving end of life care last month.

But Deborah has once again defied all odds and outlived doctors' expectations. Admitting she was living off sheer "adrenaline", the star continues to inspire her family, friends and fans on a daily basis.

To get the latest email updates from the Manchester Evening News, click 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
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.