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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Katherine Heslop

Deborah James' friend pays touching tribute to campaigner as she shares unseen snaps

A friend of Deborah James has described the world as a "darker place" without the brave campaigner, who died aged 40.

Natalie Rushdie finished her touching post by nodding to the broadcaster's tireless work raising awareness about bowel cancer, saying Deborah will "probably be haunting us to tell us to check our poo".

The brave star passed away on Tuesday while surrounded by her beloved family, after a five year battle with bowel cancer.

Her death prompted tributes from famous faces such as Eamonn Holmes and Carol Vorderman, as well as Prime Minster Boris Johnson and Labour leader Keir Starmer.

Deborah James, pictured with friend Natalie Rushdy, has died aged 40 (natalierushdie/Instagram)
Natalie paid tribute to her friend and shared a series of snaps from their times together (natalierushdie/Instagram)

Her friend, singer Natalie Rushdie started her own tribute on Instagram with the words: "Goodbye Deborah", followed by an emoji of two champagne flutes clinking.

Alongside the post, she shared a series of previously unseen snaps of the pair, showing the friends having a laugh at various events, such as Royal Ascot, a costume party and at an art gallery.

The poignant tribute went on: "I don’t even know what to say, how to sum up how I feel about my wonderful friend.

"I feel the world is darker place without you.

Natalie and Deborah sharing a laugh at Ascot (natalierushdie/Instagram)
Deborah raised a huge amount of money for Cancer Research UK (natalierushdie/Instagram)

"Every time you were in the room the room lit up, your laughter, jokes and zest for life was certainly contagious.

"You did everything to help others as well as friends with work, life and general advice.

"I can’t believe we just spoke on Friday and I saw you at Ascot. I know you were dreadfully ill but you were still you! I could see the old Deborah sparkle in your eyes.

"I will miss you so much, miss our chats, miss our rants and miss your wonderful smile but I know your not in pain now and will probably be haunting us to tell us to check our poo!"

Deborah James grinning as she dances in a clip shared by Natalie Rushdie (natalierushdie/Instagram)
Deborah pictured with Caroline Hirons and Natalie (natalierushdie/Instagram)

On her InstaStory, Natalie also posted a short clip of Deborah dancing in a sparkly, 1920s flapper style dress and headband. She wrote alongside the video: "This is exactly how @bowelbabe should be remembered. A love of life even though she was fighting for her life and others..."

Deborah had been fighting stage 4 bowel cancer since December 2016 and had documented her fight on social media – having inspired millions of fans.

While the much-loved star had continued to maintain a positive outlook amid her cancer battle, the TV star took to social media in May to reveal that she no longer knew how long she had left as she opened up about her stage 4 cancer.

Deborah, who is behind the popular BBC podcast 'You, Me and the Big C', said that although she had been fighting her illness for five years, it was still not easy to accept and say goodbye.

In her final weeks, the mum-of-two revealed she was receiving end-of-life care at her home in Surrey.

She also had a private tour at the Chelsea Flower Show to see her rose, which The Harkness Rose Company named after her in tribute to the brave star in a 'lovely honour' which moved the dame to tears.

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