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Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Lucy Buckland & Hannah Mackenzie Wood

Deborah James determined not to die over Jubilee so 'Meghan doesn't steal thunder

Dame Deborah James says she is "determined" not to die over the Jubilee weekend so that Meghan Markle doesn't "steal her thunder".

The campaigner has become an inspiration to many, raising vital awareness and millions of pounds for charity while battling bowel cancer.

According to the Mirror, even in her final days the 40-year-old has her wit and spark about her, joking today that she's not letting anyone steal her limelight at the last hurdle - even the royals.

She told the The Sun: "I'm determined not to die over the Jubilee weekend, I don’t want Meghan stealing my thunder.

"I haven’t worked so hard to raise cancer awareness and money to help find a cure, only to miss out on another front page when I go.”

The podcast host known as Bowel Babe online, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 and is now at her parents' home in Woking to spend her final days surrounded by her family.

With her trademark honesty she added: "Dying is really hard. I’ve been consumed by anger this week, in all honesty, I’ve been a real b***h.

The 40-year-old campaigner said she refuses to let cancer beat her this Jubilee weekend. (Getty Images)

"I keep shouting at people and pushing them away. I’m angry at what’s happening to me. I don’t want to die.”

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Dame Deborah told fans about how she broke down in tears when her family surprised her with a "girly sleepover" with her daughter Eloise, 12, where they watched Cinderella.

Meghan Markle and Prince William at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. (Getty Images)

She wrote: "Making memories can be hard while you are dying! Oh the pressure!!. I’m now only getting some very grabbed hours between the sleeping and side effects, but this girly sleepover managed to put such a smile to my face having spent most of yesterday in tears!"

The podcast host has raised a staggering £6.5million for her bowel cancer fundraiser, three weeks after announcing she was receiving end-of-life care.

Dame Deborah launched the fundraiser with an initial target of £250,000, but has surpassed her goal 26 times over after inspiring the nation.

Despite her declining health, Deborah has been an inspiration to many as she has launched her In The Style collection, been made a Dame and will be releasing a book.

Dame Deborah and her husband Sebastian Bowen have two children, Hugo, 14, and Eloise.

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