Ronan Keating was among the thousands of people who paid tribute to broadcaster and campaigner Deborah James after her death from cancer at the age of 40, describing her as a “a pioneer, a fighter, a champion and a dame”.
The podcaster's death from bowel cancer on Tuesday was announced by her family, prompting tributes from across many sections of British society.
In her final weeks, Deborah James raised more than £6.7 million for research in the UK through her BowelBabe fund and was made a dame for her "tireless" work improving awareness of the disease.
READ MORE: Dame Deborah James - the family she leaves behind following her death aged 40
Paying tribute, her family described her as "the most amazing wife, daughter, sister, mummy".
An emotional Ronan – whose mother Marie died of cancer in 1998 aged just 51 – said he was heartbroken when he heard the news of her death as he came off stage from his concert in Sheffield.
He said: “Deborah you were a pioneer, a fighter, a champion, a dame. Thank you for everything you did in the fight against cancer. You were incredible. Your bravery was phenomenal all the way to the end. Every day we were hoping that maybe something would change in the last few weeks.
“You fought to the end and you’re a megastar. To her family, I send my condolences and my heart. Thank you Deborah. God bless ya,” added the Boyzone singer.
Ronan previously spoke about how “heart-breaking” the past few weeks have been as Deborah, also known online as ‘BowelBabe’.
He continued: “It’s just so important, what we’ve seen with BowelBabe in the last few weeks, bless her.
“What she’s going through and has gone through during the last five years, it’s just been, it’s heart-breaking. Her message too is about education and people understanding the disease because early detection is your best chance of survival.”
Britain's Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said Deborah James was "an inspirational and unfalteringly brave woman whose legacy will live on".
The former headteacher was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 and announced on Instagram on 9 May that she has now stopped treatment and is receiving hospice care at home.
Fellow presenters Gaby Roslin, Charlotte Hawkins and Carol Vorderman were among those from the broadcasting world who paid tribute to Deborah James online.
TV presenter Roslin tweeted: "Bye bye my beautiful friend Deborah.
"You will forever shine so brightly. Thank you for all you did. For the laughter, the dancing and most importantly for all you did in your short lifetime for others.
"My love to all of the family. Just so heartbreaking."
Good Morning Britain host Hawkins tweeted: "Oh no... heartbreaking news that @bowelbabe has left us. What an inspiration, a truly special person who saved lives & did so much to help others.
"Who showed that even a terminal diagnosis wasn't going to stop her living life to the full. So much love to her family & friends."
Vorderman added: "Rest in peace @Bowelbabe. Your incredible spirit will live on."
Deborah James launched the You, Me And The Big C podcast on BBC Radio 5 Live in 2018 alongside Lauren Mahon and Rachael Bland.
BBC Director-General Tim Davie said: "This is incredibly sad news. Dame Deborah James was a true inspiration.
"We're so proud to have worked with her at the BBC. The way she talked about and faced up to her cancer moved the nation, inspired change and undoubtedly saved lives.
"Our deepest sympathies are with her family, friends, followers and her 5 Live family."
Tributes also came from the bowel cancer charities in the UK that benefitted from her work.
A tweet from Macmillan Cancer Support said: "We are so sad to hear that Deborah James has died, and our thoughts are with her family and many friends.
"Deb has been an inspiration to us all. We're so grateful for all of her generous support over the years, and her dedication to stand together with people with cancer."
Genevieve Edwards, Chief Executive of Bowel Cancer UK, where Deborah James was a patron, said: "We're deeply saddened that our patron Dame Deborah James has died, and our hearts go out to her family and everyone who knew and loved her. Deborah's star shone bright; she was a true inspiration.
"She turned her bowel cancer diagnosis into an incredible force for good and through her tireless campaigning to raise awareness of bowel cancer symptoms, will have saved countless lives.
"Deborah brought warmth, energy, and honesty to everything she did. Even during her most difficult times living with bowel cancer, she never stopped helping others.
"We are truly grateful to have known Deborah and to call her our friend. She was a powerful patron for Bowel Cancer UK, and leaves a stunning legacy through her BowelBabe Fund, a testament to the love and admiration so many had for her."
NHS Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard said in a statement: "On behalf of the whole NHS I would like to offer my condolences to the family and many friends of Deborah James.
"Deborah's amazing attitude was humbling and a lesson to us all.
"Not only will her fundraising have helped countless other cancer patients but her determination to raise awareness will undoubtedly have saved many lives."
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