Summary

  • Dame Deborah James, host of the BBC's You, Me and the Big C podcast, has died

  • She revealed in May that she was receiving end of life care

  • Tributes have poured in from across the UK, with the prime minister saying she will save "many many lives"

  • The 40-year-old was honoured with a damehood after setting up a cancer research fund that raised millions

  • The Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK now stands at almost £7m

  • The former deputy headteacher and mother-of-two was diagnosed in 2016

Live Reporting

Edited by Owen Amos

  1. 'The cleaning was off the scale': When Deborah met WIlliam

    Dame Deborah James and Prince WilliamDeborah James

    Deborah James was honoured with a damehood in May - just days after revealing she was receiving end-of-life care at her parents’ home.

    She had her damehood conferred by Prince William at her family home and said she was "utterly honoured" he had joined her for afternoon tea and champagne.

    Dame Deborah said the visit was "surreal" and the prince was "clearly passionate" about improving oncology outcomes.

    “You can imagine the cleaning antics and preparation went off the scale - but it was all irrelevant because William was so kind and he put us all at ease," she said.

  2. Deborah James’ cancer research fund reaches £6.7m

    Dame Deborah James launched a hugely successful campaign to raise money for her Bowelbabe Fund – a new cancer research fund which reached £1m less than 24 hours after being launched.

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are among those who have donated to the fund, and the total has now surpassed £6.7m.

    "Thank you for giving hope to so many who are living with cancer," Prince William and his wife wrote on Twitter in May.

    The couple described the mother-of-two's "tireless efforts" raising awareness of cancer as inspirational.

  3. 'A few final things from Deborah...find a life worth living'

    Announcing her death, Dame Deborah's family say they are "deeply saddened" at the loss of the the "most amazing wife, daughter, sister, mummy".

    She passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones, they said in a statement on her Instagram account.

    Deborah shared her experience with the world to raise awareness, break down barriers, challenge taboos and change the conversation around cancer. Even in her most challenging moments, her determination to raise money and awareness was inspiring.

    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.'"

  4. Watch: Dame Deborah James obituary

    Dame Deborah James: 'One of those special people'

  5. Welcome to our coverage

    Cancer campaigner Dame Deborah James has died at the age of 40.

    The host of the BBC's You, Me and the Big C documented her journey through treatment for bowel cancer, which she was diagnosed with in 2016.

    We'll bring you the reaction and tributes on this page.