Dame Deborah James' touching documentary airs tonight
She sadly died at the age of 40
Last updated 17th Apr 2023
Dame Deborah James sadly died from bowel cancer at the age of 40 in June last year, but the campaigner was keen to raise awareness for the disease before her passing, raising millions for charity in the process.
What is Dame Deborah James' documentary about?
After being diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer in 2016 at the age of just 35, Deborah worked with the BBC for an intimate documentary called Bowelbabe: In Her Own Words, which details her incredible campaigning in the last five years of her life.
The documentary will show footage of Deborah in her final months, as she talks frankly about her diagnosis, treatment, and shares personal moments whilst documenting what the reality of living with bowel cancer was really like for her and her family.
The 80-minute-long show will feature never-before-seen footage from Deborah's phone, TikTok videos, voice notes, family videos, and footage from her popular You, Me and the Big C podcast.
When is Dame Deborah James' documentary on TV?
The new documentary will air on Monday 17th April on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer at 9pm.
Lucie Kon, Commissioning Editor, BBC Storyville says: “Deborah worked with us on this film right up until the last few weeks of her life and was adamant that it was finished even though she wouldn’t be around to see it through. It’s an incredibly powerful and beautiful piece – emotional, intimate and unique. With enormous warmth and good humour, the documentary echoes the powerful, honest and direct way that Deborah communicated, as if she were talking to a friend or confidante.”
When did Dame Deborah James die?
Deborah's sad passing was announced by her family on 28th June 2022, with a statement being posted to her Bowelbabe Instagram page.
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.
'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.
'We thank you for giving us time in private as a family, and we look forward to continuing Deborah’s legacy long into the future through the @bowelbabefund
'Thank you for playing your part in her journey, you are all incredible.
'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
'(Shared with Deborah’s permission)'. (sic)
Before her passing, Prince William made Deborah a Dame in May 2022, with the mum-of-two raising over £7 million for Cancer Research, with her The Bowelbabe Fund.
The fund continues to support causes that Deborah was passionate about, including working with others such as the Institute of Cancer Research, The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and Bowel Cancer UK.
Remembering Dame Deborah James:
Pictured here in 2020, Deborah James was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 at the age of 35. After the diagnosis she began detailing her cancer and treatment in a newspaper column.
Deborah James became the much-loved presenter of the podcast You, Me And The Big C in 2018 alongside fellow cancer patients Lauren Mahon and Rachael Bland.
She's become a campaigner, raising awareness of cancer and raising money too. In 2019 she ran the Vitiality London 10000 in her underwear to promote body confidence.
In May 2022 she announced she was receiving hospice at home care saying "We have tried everything, but my body simply isn't playing ball."
The cancer campaigner was honoured with a damehood in May 2022 after announcing she had moved to hospice-at-home care.
The 40-year-old podcast host had at that point raised over £4million after setting up a fund to raise money for clinical trials, research, and raising awareness of bowel cancer.
Dame Deborah James dies
On the 28th June 2022 it was announced that Dame Deborah had sadly passed away at the age of 40, after losing her battle with terminal bowel cancer. Her campaigning work raised over £7 million for her Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK.
Bowelbabe: In Her Own Words will air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on Tuesday 17th April.