One of Deborah James ' friends and podcast co-hosts grew emotional as he paid tribute to the late star on live TV this morning in the wake of her death.
The inspirational campaigner's loved ones shared the sad news that the mum-of-two had died at the age of 40 via a statement on Tuesday night, following a five-year battle against stage four bowel cancer.
Speaking with hosts Nina Warhurst and Jon Kay on BBC Breakfast on Wednesday morning, Steve Bland - one of the presenters of You, Me and the Big C podcast - teared up as he discussed the 'extraordinary legacy' Deborah has left behind.
The late star began co-presenting You, Me and the Big C alongside Steve's late wife Rachael Bland and Lauren Mahon in 2018, with the podcast earning praise for its frank discussion of cancer.
The trio spoke to celebrity guests and addressed practical matters, including hair loss, tips for dealing with finances and discussing illnesses with loved ones.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast on Wednesday, Steve praised Deborah all three women for their groundbreaking work on the show and the lasting impact it has had.
"They opened up the conversation for so many people to say 'It's okay. Its not a dirty secret'," the journalist proudly stated. "I'm so proud of what they all achieved."
Following BBC Radio 5 Live newsreader Rachael losing her battle to breast cancer in 2018, Steve replaced his late wife as one of the presenters on the podcast alongside Deborah and Lauren.
As he paid tribute to Deborah on live TV, the presenter pointed how the late mum-of-two has been raising funds and awareness of cancer "not just the last several weeks but for the last five years".
"She educated people about the symptoms of bowel cancer and that's an extortionary legacy," Steve proudly declared on BBC Breakfast. "Thousands of people are alive because of her."
As the news of Deborah's death broke on Tuesday night, Steve was one of the hundred of people to take to social media to mourn the loss of such an inspirational woman.
"So much has rightly been made of what she achieved in the last weeks of her life. But I know she’d want me to point out that she’s been busy changing the world and making millions of people’s lives better since the moment she was diagnosed in 2016," Steve wrote within a lengthy tribute shared on Instagram.
"The money and the Damehood is all amazing, but how many of us will be able to look back on our lives and say that people are alive becomes of what we’ve done? Deb can. She banged the drum for bowel cancer to educate us all on the symptoms, and she tirelessly campaigned for drugs and treatments to be made available. Thousands of people are alive today because of Deb."
He continued to add: "We didn’t know each other that well before Rach died. In fact, Deb’s first text to me was just before she died in 2018. No gushy stuff - just ‘how can I help?’ To so many people she was this kick ass cancer campaigner.
"To me and those of us who were lucky enough to know her well, she was just our friend, and I’m going to miss her so so much. I’ll even miss the streams of WhatsApps in the middle of the night when she was on steroids!
"I’ve got so much more to say and I’m sure I’ll get chance to say it. But for now, sleep easy gorgeous Deb. You achieved everything, you changed the world and I’m so proud of you."
