Dame Deborah James 'gutted' she won't see her new book published
Deborah has now moved to home-hospice care
Last updated 29th May 2022
TV star and cancer campaigner Dame Deborah James has confirmed she's written a second book called How To Live When You Could Be Dead, going on to admit she's 'gutted' she won't be around to see it published.
40-year-old Deborah, who last week revealed she has now moved to home-hospice care after battling stage four bowel cancer since 2016, took to her Instagram page to share a photo of herself holding the book.
Deborah, who was awarded with a Damehood on Thursday 12th May, revealed the publish date of the book had been brought forward from January 2023 to August 2022.
She wrote: 'I wrote another book!! So I’ve got a few things to share with you before I die that I’m gutted I won’t see in real life! But I’ve now been granted permission to share them and I’m really excited!
'For the last 2 years I’ve been working on my second book How to Live when you could be Dead - oh the irony of the title! I wanted to share all my (hard-won!!) learning on how to have a positive mindset when we are faced with life’s biggest challenges.
'Whilst it is in its final edits, as anyone in publishing will know, suddenly changing book publication dates (regardless of health!) isn’t an easy feat. It was originally due out Jan 2023!!!
'All things considered, Penguin have managed to put it on pre-order and are aiming to publish it on the 18th August! It is still long after I’m flying high, but hopefully a little less longer for you to wait.' (sic)
Deborah went on to reveal £3 from each book sale with be donated to her Bowelbabe Fund, which has so far raised over £6 million for Cancer Research UK.
She added: 'We have worked really hard over the last few days to ensure the book benefits Bowelbabe Fund as much as possible. All my royalties will go to the fund and Penguin have kindly agreed to make an additional contribution per book. Altogether the donation per book will be £3.
'£3 per book sold in the UK will go to Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK.
'No pressure to do anything or order anything as I know your generosity has already been extraordinary.' (sic)
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.
Since posting about her book on Instagram, Deborah has since taken to her Instagram Stories to reveal her shock and delight at the amount of pre-orders it has received.
Sharing a screenshot from Amazon's Best Sellers list, How To Live When You Could Be Dead is currently at Number 1.
Deborah told fans: 'Not sure how much more emotional wow I can deal with today. Number 1 best selling in the books already. I want to tell each of you how wonderful you all are. Never forget that'. (sic)
At the time of publication, Deborah's Bowelbabe Fund is currently at £6.3 million. You can donate right here.