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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
James Brinsford & Brogan-Leigh Hurst

Deborah James makes final TV appearance after revealing doctors gave her just days to live

Dame Deborah James made her final TV appearance on Thursday night as she spoke about the moment she received her heartbreaking bowel cancer diagnosis.

The 40-year-old blogger didn't think she would live to see Embarrassing Bodies air on E4, after doctors gave her just days to live after being discharged from hospital last month.

Deborah is receiving end-of-life care at her parents' home in Woking and has so far defied expectations and inspired the nation with her will to make the most of her final days.

On the show, Deborah candidly spoke to GP Dr Tosin Ajayi-Sotubo about her diagnosis five years ago - telling the doctor it was the "last thing she was expecting" aged just 35 at the time.

Deborah James appeared on Embarrassing Bodies to raise awareness of the signs of bowel cancer (Channel 4)

On the show, she spoke about the early signs of bowel cancer, and how she thought it was an "old man's disease" in the hope that it might help others who feel they are in a similar position.

She said: "I started going to the poo - we need to say that - eight times a day. And I used to be a once-a-day kind of girl.

"Then I started getting really tired and I remember drinking loads of cups of coffee just to try and keep myself awake.

"Then I started losing loads of weight and I started having blood in my poo."

Speaking to GP Dr Tosin, Deborah said this was the moment she had a "gut instinct that something wasn't right."

In emotional scenes, she went on to tell viewers why "talk of poo, should never be a taboo".

She said that "our favourite celebrities poo" so there is no reason why we shouldn't talk about it more.

She has been living her life to the fullest (Instagram/ @bowelbabe)

Dr Tosin was seen heading to Hammersmith in London to help educate people about the colour of stools and when you should consult a GP.

Deborah explained on her Instagram Story earlier today: "I recorded this with the Embarrassing Bodies team a good while ago but it's out tonight."

She told The Sun ahead of her TV appearance: "I might not live to see the episode air but I hope the message to "Check your poo" will live on, long after I'm gone.

"It might be embarrassing but it might just save your life. Early diagnosis of things like bowel cancer saves lives.

Ruth Langsford with Dame Deborah and Eamonn Holmes (Dave Benett/Getty Images for Roy)
She posed for some snaps with her brother Benjamin (Dave Benett/Getty Images for Roy)

"So don't live to regret it, and don't risk dying because you're shy. I've given my blessing for this episode to run if I'm gone, if it helps save one life it will be worth it."

This week, Deborah has shared her joy at experiencing Royal Ascot again, even if still being alive have left her in "limbo land".

Deborah grinned from her wheelchair beside her brother and his new fiancée at Royal Ascot races.

She said on Instagram: "I find myself living in limbo land, not really knowing what the future holds and for how long.

Deborah was all smiles beside her brother and his fiance (Dave Benett/Getty Images for Roy)
Deborah is taking each day as it comes (Instagram)

"It’s a very stressful uncertain place to be because when I was discharge from hospital over a month ago I was given days, maybe a week to live. And I felt like it.

"But as we all know life doesn’t go according to plan, so I’m just grateful for what ever extra time, the powers that be have decided to grant me. So despite the unnerving tears, I look at the sunshine, smile, and think, wow, life is a funny thing isn’t it!! Better enjoy it!"

Deborah added the hashtags: "#onedayatatime #royalascot #ascot #aintdeadyet".

She recently enjoyed sipping cocktails in the sun (bowelbabe/Instagram)

The podcaster, who has raised more than £6million for Cancer Research UK, wore a pretty navy blue dress with puffy short sleeves and a white frilly Peter Pan collar.

The Dame, who originally said that she would like to die drinking champagne on her parent's lawn after she was discharged from hospital, has been making her way through a variety of cocktails.

She said that she is "working her way through" classic cocktails "before I'm gone".

The campaigner posted a photo of a Sex on the Beach cocktail to her Instagram stories earlier this week.

She got glammed up for the Opera (Instagram)

Overlaid text read: "Yes that is Archers! And yes I did grow up as Archers and lemonade being a staple college social drink!"

"Todays ‘sundowner’ treat of choice, ‘Sex on the Beach’. Maybe I should just call this working my way through old school cocktails day by day before I’m gone!"

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