Lorraine Kelly paid an emotional tribute to friend and colleague, Dame Deborah James, by wearing an item from her clothing range. In a show jam-packed with memories of the 'Bowel Babe', Lorraine and many of her guests also wore a 'REBELLIOUS HOPE' T-shirt. Talking to Lorraine style expert, Mark Heyes, she said: "We're all wearing them today."
Deborah's clothing range, 'REBELLIOUS HOPE', has already raised more than £1m for cancer research, despite initially wanting to raise £50,000. The journalist and podcast host announced her collaboration with In The Style at the end of May. Deborah credited the range with keeping her going and taking her away from her cancer. Her collection includes a variety of dresses, skirts and tops in vibrant prints and colours. Mark Heyes commended Deborah for being a "style expert".
Lorraine, who described how Deborah "touched all of us" commented how it was a "sad day but [they are] trying to think positively". Talking about some of Deborah's amazing work, Lorraine described how Deborah was integral to encouraging an open conversation about bowel cancer.
Read more: Dame Deborah James dies of bowel cancer aged 40
Cancer campaigner Deborah died aged 40 on Tuesday, June 28. Her death was confirmed in a post from her Instagram account, BowelBabe.
The mum-of-two was initially diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in December 2016. She has raised more than £6.5million after launching her fundraising efforts in May. The post on her Instagram came at 8.53pm on June 28. It read: "We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Dame Deborah James; the most amazing wife, daughter, sister, mummy. Deborah passed away peacefully today, surrounded by her family.
"Deborah, who many of you will know as Bowelbabe, was an inspiration and we are incredibly proud of her and her work and commitment to charitable campaigning, fundraising and her endless efforts to raise awareness of cancer that touched so many lives."
The emotional post concluded: "And a few final things from Deborah…'find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope. And finally, check your poo – it could just save your life.' x"
Deborah began working as a columnist for The Sun newspaper detailing her cancer journey and launched the praised Radio 5 podcast You, Me and the Big C back in 2018 releasing a book later that same year. She is survived by two children, Hugo, 14, and Eloise, 12, and her husband Sebastian Bowen.
How you can order Dame Deborah James' clothing range
Deborah's T-shirt collection, 'REBELLIOUS HOPE', is available to purchase on the In The Style here. 100% of profits from each of the unisex t-shirts will go to to The Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK.
The Bowelbabe T-shirts are also available to purchase on Amazon here.
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