Lorraine Kelly is among the mourners gathered at Dame Deborah James' funeral in London as friends and family say goodbye to the beloved campaigner.
The mother-of-two, who became known as Bowelbabe, her social media handle, died last month aged 40 after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016. Close friends and family arrived at St Mary's Church in Barnes, south-west London, ahead of the service this afternoon.
Lorraine, 62, and Gaby Roslin, who were both friends of Dame Deborah, filed into the church alongside family members carrying a wreath of white flowers. A note attached to the flowers said: “Deborah, thank you to our extraordinary friend. You together with Seb, Eloise and Hugo are such an important part of our family, we will love and miss you forever.”
They also carried a music sheet for the song Tell Me It’s Not True from the musical Blood Brothers with a picture of Dame Deborah. The church bells chimed at 12.30pm ahead of the intimate service, which began at 1pm with readings and music from relatives.
Other stars turning up to the service were Tom and Giovanna Fletcher, Gaby Roslin, television personality Oliver Peyton and singer Natalie Rushdie. Mourners meanwhile could be seen carrying wreaths of beautiful white flowers into the ceremony with heartfelt messages from Deborah's loved ones.
The former deputy headteacher was diagnosed with bowel cancer at just 35-years-old and subsequently kept her nearly one million Instagram followers up to date with her treatments. The star lived life to the fullest in her final weeks after raising almost £7million in her BowelBabe fund.
The You, Me and the Big C podcast star didn't slow down in her final weeks and made the most of her time with husband Sebastien, and their two children, by her side. As well as drinking champagne with Prince William at her parents' pad when she was made a Dame, Deborah also rocked up at Ascot and Glyndebourne opera house - looking fabulous.
Ahead of the funeral, Deborah's brother Ben took to Instagram to pay tribute to his big sister. The siblings said a heartbreaking goodbye before her death, with Ben jetting off to the United States for his holiday at her insistence.
Sharing a selection of videos and photos, he wrote: "Big sis, Debs. Thank you for teaching me how to live life to the full since the day I was born - you made me find that life worth enjoying!
"Saying bye is never going to be easy, but knowing you achieved more than any of us could ever dream of…and so, so much more…makes it that little bit more bearable. Your legacy will go on forever and we’ll do our very best to make you proud.
"Take it easy up there. Here’s to you x".
She was made a dame for her “tireless” work improving awareness of the disease, with the honour conferred by the Duke of Cambridge, who joined her family for afternoon tea and champagne at home.
Her death was announced on June 28 with a message saying she had died peacefully, surrounded by her family.
Deborah wanted Tell Me It's Not True from Blood Brothers to be played - as well as plenty of tequila at the reception. She expressed her hopes her children would be able to read poems to the congregation if they were able to.
She previously told The Times : "It sounds morbid, but I want a sombre funeral in black and white because I think people look good in black and white.
"There’s a big church in Barnes and I’ll leave Seb to decide on the reception, as long as there is tequila. I’m thinking of asking people to bring a picture or a funny anecdote, so my family have something to remember.
"Otherwise, how can my children collect memories from people in my life they don’t know? At 12 and 14 I hope they will remember me, but [they are] still very young, so my image will fade and they will have to rely on videos or photos."
Thank you Dame Deborah, rest in peace.
Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our weekly Showbiz newsletter here .
READ NEXT:
- Meghan Markle and Prince Harry had 'tense' call with Queen and Charles over estranged dad drama
- Stacey Solomon hosts 'village lido' for neighbours as heatwave closes local schools
- Stacey Solomon wants to launch 'budget bridal range' inspired by Pickle Cottage wedding
- Love Island's Jay Younger called out by Andi Peters for flirting with Lorraine Kelly
- Diana Gabaldon reveals new book might be the last for Jamie and Claire
