Podcaster and campaigner Dame Deborah James, whose frank accounts of life with bowel cancer sparked an extraordinary deluge of charity donations, has died, her family have announced.
A statement posted by her family on Instagram said:
"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."'
The driving force behind the BBC podcast You, Me and The Big C, Dame Deborah broke the news to followers last month that she had moved into end-of-life hospice care at home.
The 40-year-old told them:
"I am not brave - I am not dignified going towards my death - I am simply a scared girl who is doing something she has no choice in but I know I am grateful for the life that I have had."
Since then, James revealed she finished her second book and continued to campaign and inspire people.
Within 24 hours of breaking the news of her impending death, Ms James' fans, as well as people across the world who had been inspired by her moving and candid stories about dealing with bowel cancer, had raised more than £1.6m for research into the disease.
She said she had been "blown away" by the reaction.
The Bowelbabe Fund currently sits at more than £6.7m.
After announcing that she was receiving end-of-life care, James continued to provide honest updates on her condition on social media.
On Instagram, she revealed she was "less and less able to leave the house, or bed" and felt "down", but still continued to make memories with her loved ones.
Despite sharing the more difficult times, James continued to celebrate her successes.
Last month, she revealed she completed her second book, How To Live When You Could Be Dead, which topped the Amazon bestsellers' list and rose to number one through pre-orders.
Since sharing her end-of-life care update, charities have also noted a surge in people seeking bowel cancer information.
Inspired by her efforts to raise awareness of bowel cancer, Marks and Spencer also recently announced it would add information about the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer to its toilet roll packaging.
Dame Deborah
Days after smashing her fundraising target, Prince William made James a dame, visiting her at her parents' home in Woking to personally hand over the honour.
She said she was "utterly honoured" that the royal had joined her family for afternoon tea but admitted her "cleaning antics and preparation went off the scale" as she got ready for his visit.
James was diagnosed with the condition in 2016 and since then has kept her nearly 700,000 Instagram followers and her podcast listeners up-to-date with her treatments, with unreserved details about her progress and diagnosis.
'Thank you for being so strong'
Following the announcement of her death, tributes poured in for James.
Her mother Heather, whose handle on Instagram is Bowelgran, shared a series of photos of Dame Deborah and wrote:
"My heart is broken. Love you forever."
Adele Roberts, who is a presenter at BBC Radio 1 and this week announced that she is cancer-free, shared a picture of James on social media along with the caption:
"My heart hurts. Thank you for everything Deborah.
"Thank you for being so strong for so long and helping others when you were in so much pain yourself. You are the best of us.
"Thinking of your family and friends and I am forever grateful to you for helping me and my family."
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
"I'm terribly saddened to hear that Dame Deborah James has died. What an inspiration she was to so many.
"The awareness she brought to bowel cancer and the research her campaigning has funded will be her enduring legacy. Because of her, many many lives will be saved."
BBC Radio 1 DJ Chris Stark wrote:
"You inspired so man and did everything to the fullest. No one can do more than that. I hope we can have a gin wherever this all leads.
"Rest in peace Debs x."
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer described James' charity work as "truly inspirational", while Deputy Labour Party leader, Angela Rayner said she was a "fierce, bright and brilliant woman".
In a statement, the BBC's director-general Tim Davie, said:
"This is incredibly sad news. Dame Deborah James was a true inspiration.
"We're so proud to have worked with her at the BBC. The way she talked about and faced up to her cancer moved the nation, inspired change and undoubtedly saved lives."
James was a patron for Bowel Cancer UK and the charity's chief executive, Genevieve Edwards said the former headteacher brought "warmth, energy and honesty to everything she did", adding that she was a "powerful patron for Bowel Cancer UK and leaves a stunning legacy through her BowelBabe fund".
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