Dame Deborah James’ mother shares a heartfelt message on the first anniversary of her passing

Dame Deborah James’ mother has posted a heartfelt message on the first anniversary of her daughter’s death.

Heather James, 65, shared an emotional tribute to her “interesting, fun and manic” daughter and the “incredible legacy” she left behind.

The announcer and former head teacher, known as Bowel Babe, died in June 2022 at the age of 40, five years after she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer when she found blood in her stool.

Mother of three and grandmother of four Heather reflected on her daughter’s life and her “determination to help others reach their full potential.”

Prince William, who visited the cancer activist at her parents’ house in Surrey before she died to make her a lady, also paid tribute today, praising her as an inspiration.

He told The sun: ‘Lady Debs would be so proud. She inspired the nation. Her legacy is countless lives saved from colon cancer.”

Take to Instagram to pay tribute to her daughter, her mother Heather wrote, “Today is the first anniversary of our oldest child Deborah. Deborah came into the world full of energy and never stopped for the next 40 years.

“The past 12 months have not been easy, but we remember with immense pride and love the amazing impact she had on so many lives and the incredible legacy she left behind.

“We were young parents when Deborah was born and the first cuddles and touches with your firstborn are something you will remember forever and cannot take away – life with Debs was always interesting, fun and manic, but there was always a determination in her to help others reach their full potential, especially in her teaching career.

“When we were first diagnosed with colon cancer, it took us time to understand the seriousness of her diagnosis, but we knew right away that she wanted to share her story with others to establish open communication on an issue. that many considered a taboo – you will all agree that she succeeded!

“We followed and supported her work in the last 5 years of her life, but also remembered that we were there as her ever-loving parents and grandparents to her children.

“In what became very difficult times it was wonderful to see the immense love and support she received from her husband Sebastien and their children, her siblings Sarah and Ben along with the unwavering support of their families.

She continued, “During her last weeks at home, the atmosphere was unique but most of all loving – we all understood what the end would be, although I struggled to believe that Deborah was facing the end of her life that she loved so much, but there was a determination to enjoy every last minute and experiences we had together.

‘Although I’m sure no one expected Prince William to join us for tea and champagne!!

“Deborah, you always provided a challenge, but it was your ability to steer it in the right direction and communicate so brilliantly that made all the difference.

She concluded: “As your brother said on the eve of your funeral – from the beginning you taught me how to live – you had that effect on many more people than you ever knew and that’s why you were so loved and are now so missed . – Deborah we love you forever. Xx’

Many fans, friends and celebrities rushed to the post to show their support for Heather and her family.

Katie Piper said, “I’ve reread this a few times now. Incredibly moving. I often think of Deborah and all the good she has done in this life. We owe a lot to her.’

Giovanna Fletcher said, “Lovely words Heather. My Deborah James roses grow in the garden and I think of all of you when I take in their blooms. Sending so much love. Xxxx’

While Gaby Roslin said, “Sending you and Alistair and all the family so much love. She was inspiring and cheerful and the best laugh. She will always be remembered with such fondness by all who knew her and those who didn’t. What a woman.’

During her lifetime, Deborah had established the Bowelbabe Cancer Research Fund to raise money for research into personalized medicine for cancer patients.

Heather has now taken over the campaigns to promote health awareness, which she revealed helps her cope with the grief of losing her daughter.

She announced on her Instagram yesterday that Blood Brothers’ emotional Tell Me It’s Not True, which was sung at Deborah’s funeral, will be released as a charity single.

It will be sung by Deborah’s friend Natalie Rushdie in support of the Bowelbabe Fund on the anniversary of Deborah’s death and will be released on July 3rd.

She recently praised her late daughter’s bowel cancer fund, which has now raised a whopping £11.3 million, on Lorraine.

She said: “She had set a target of £250,000,” the mother-of-three said, explaining the fund’s origins. “I think it was a million in a day and she was blown away as we all were and I wish she was here to see it was 11.3 million.

“But we’re not going to stop there. We’re going to make it even bigger.’

The grandmother of four also spoke candidly about dealing with grief as she continues to work on efforts to tackle the disease and help fund efforts — explaining that the “go go go” nature of the job helps her so as not to fall into despair.

“Deborah was always ‘go go go’ and full of energy,” she told Ranvir Singh.

‘If I have too much time… you think ‘this is real, she’s gone’.

“But she’s so… in our lives — so much, in everything she left behind — that I’ll continue to campaign and if we can do that for Deborah’s legacy that’s great, but in terms of grief I think it’s harder is now the reality sets in. ‘

Heather revealed that she felt “numb” with grief before realizing the loss is “real.”

Dame Deborah was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016. She continued to raise awareness of the disease until her death on June 28, 2022.

The former deputy director, who was known to many as Bowel Babe, intimately described the last five years of her life online.

Her candid posts about her progress and diagnosis — including videos of her dancing through the treatment — have been praised by the public and media alike.

She launched the You, Me And The Big C podcast in 2018 along with Lauren Mahon and Rachael Bland.

In May 2022, the podcaster revealed that she had withdrawn from active treatment and was receiving end-of-life care at her parents’ home in Woking, Surrey, with her husband and their two children on hand.

In the months leading up to her death, Deborah had Prince William for tea, who made her a Lady.

Despite her illness, she lived on her own terms and designed Charity T-shirts, a clothing line to raise another million for her Bowelbabe fund.

De Dame also wrote and published her second book, How to Live When You Could Be Dead, while battling cancer, in which she describes how developing a positive mindset was key to enabling her to cope with her diagnosis.

She told her children, Hugo, 15, and Eloise, 13, to “take risks and experience life now” and marry for love in a heartbreaking final letter.