Deborah James' children read touching poems as beloved podcaster is laid to rest

20 July 2022, 13:00 | Updated: 20 July 2022, 20:30

Mourners pay their respects to Deborah James
Mourners pay their respects to Deborah James. Picture: Getty

By Will Taylor

Deborah James' children read poems at her funeral as family and friends including Lorraine Kelly, Gaby Roslin and Tom Fletcher paid tribute to her life.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The podcaster, known as "Bowelbabe", captured the hearts of millions as she spoke frankly about her bowel cancer diagnosis and how she was living with the disease.

The mother-of-two died aged 40 last month. At the time of her death, she had raised £6 million from over 300,000 supporters for Cancer Research UK. That total is now over £7m.

She brought inspiration and awareness about her terminal diagnosis of stage four bowel cancer through her popular podcast You, Me and the Big C, which she co-hosted with Lauren Mahon and Rachael Bland.

She later earned a damehood, conferred by Prince William at her family's home in Woking.

Listen to You, Me and the Big C on Global Player

Tom Fletcher of McFly was among the mourners
Tom Fletcher of McFly was among the mourners. Picture: Getty
Deborah James's famous Instagram photo appeared on the funeral's order of service
Deborah James's famous Instagram photo appeared on the funeral's order of service. Picture: Getty

Friends and family arrived at St Mary's Church in Barnes, South London, on Wednesday.

They lined up behind a black Rolls Royce and a casket was brought into the church.

Dame Deborah's husband Sebastien delivered a eulogy while children Hugo, 14, and Eloise, 12, both read poems.

Family friend and jazz singer Natalie Rushdie sang Tell Me It's Not True from the musical Blood Brothers.

Friend Sarah Mountford read an extract from Ecclesiastes while cellist Charles Watt played music from Gabriel Faure.

Ms Kelly and Ms Roslin, who were friends of Dame Deborah, carried a wreath of white flowers. An attached note said: "Deborah, thank you to our extraordinary friend. You together with Seb, Eloise and Hugo are such an important part of our family, we will love and miss you forever."

You, Me and the Big C was renowned for the hosts' frank discussions about cancer, and it took on the subject with both humour and a serious fashion.

Read more: Cancer-stricken podcaster Deborah James raises £1m after tearful farewell post

Mourners said farewell to the beloved podcaster
Mourners said farewell to the beloved podcaster. Picture: Getty
Deborah James was laid to rest on Wednesday
Deborah James was laid to rest on Wednesday. Picture: Getty

Dame Deborah, a former deputy headteacher, accrued more than 900,000 followers on social media. She was beloved for her humour and optimism even in the face of her condition.

She was diagnosed days before Christmas 2016 after suffering symptoms associated with bowel cancer, such as losing weight and passing blood when using the toilet, but it was initially thought she could have irritable bowel syndrome.

Her symptoms were put down to stress but a private specialist later diagnosed her correctly.

She would survive more than five years from her initial diagnosis, against the odds. Besides her podcast, she launched the In The Style clothing line which sends its profits to the Bowelbabe Fund.

She had stopped active treatment by May and moved to hospice-at-home care after doctors said they had done all they could - but she smashed her original goal of raising £250,000 for Cancer Research.

Dame Deborah went back to her parents' home in Woking to live in the bungalow with her husband, Sebastien, and young children Hugo and Eloise. She wrote letters for them that were to be opened after her death.

Read more: Beloved podcaster Deborah James dies aged 40 after bowel cancer battle

Gaby Roslin paid her respects
Gaby Roslin paid her respects. Picture: Getty
Deborah James died last month aged 40
Deborah James died last month aged 40. Picture: Getty

Her family, who asked for space to grieve after her death, said they hoped to keep her legacy going.

"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," they said last month.

"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."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Ozempic and Wegovy, injectable prescription weight loss medicines.

Fresh concerns over weight-loss jabs as medication linked to dozens of deaths

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called for an investigation into the BBC Gaza documentary.

Kemi Badenoch calls for investigation into BBC Gaza documentary featuring grandson of Hamas founder

Chants of “f*** the feds” could be heard as the boys took control of the emergency vehicle.

GenZ mob run riot for TikTok stunt and swarm police cars during ‘free pop-up’ by streetwear clothing brands

Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Ashbourne, Derbyshire,

Boy, 15, arrested after school forced into lockdown after student 'behaving aggressively and threatening staff'

The Runcorn and Helsby MP has been sitting as an independent since he was suspended following his arrest in October

MP Mike Amesbury jailed for 10 weeks for punching man in street in 'unprovoked drunken' assault

Speaking via video link to a Kyiv conference, the Prime Minister reaffirmed that Britain is ready to commit British troops on the ground in Ukraine in order to maintain peace.

'Russia doesn't hold all the cards', Starmer says, as he tells Ukraine 'we are with you' three years on from invasion

Leanne Lucas has described for the first time the desperate moments when she helped children run to safety

'If I didn't get out, everyone was going to die': Hero yoga teacher tells how she saved children from Southport attacker

Moise Kean was carried into an ambulance after collapsing during Fiorentina’s game against Verona

Moise Kean update after ex-Everton star rushed to hospital after collapsing on the pitch

Demi Moore, winner of Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for 'The Substance,' appears backstage during the 31st annual SAG Awards

Demi Moore, Timothee Chalamet and Conclave cast big winners at the Screen Actors Guild

The former Prime Minister was speaking from Ukraine

Blaming Ukraine for Russian invasion is like accusing swimmers of attacking the shark in Jaws, Boris Johnson tells LBC

Dave Grohl playing a show in New York earlier this month

Mother of Dave Grohl’s love child revealed to be rock ’n’ roll fan 18 years his junior  - after months of secrecy

Pope Francis seen in January

Pope Francis is 'in critical condition with kidney failure' as he continues to battle pneumonia, Vatican says

x

Damp start to the week as winter washout brings further flood warnings to parts of the UK

Cyclists training in Regent's Park

Regent's Park cyclists plagued by violent 'bikejacking' gangs - as police 'say they won't patrol before 8am'

The bodies of Andrew Searle and his wife Dawn were found at their home earlier this month

British husband 'likely killed ex-pat wife in France during staged home burglary gone wrong,’ prosecutors say

The Home Office has announced a move to widen travel controls on Kremlin-linked elites.

Kremlin linked elites 'stopped from visiting UK' with new sanctions on third anniversary of Russian invasion of Ukraine