Dame Deborah James' documentary Bowelbabe: In Her Own Words to air on BBC
Dame Deborah James made a documentary in the last few months of her life to capture the realities of living with bowel cancer – for her and those closest to her.
Bowelbabe: In Her Own Words details the last five years of her extraordinary life on film, in which she speaks openly about her diagnosis, treatment and shares many personal moments. The Storyville documentary features never seen before mobile phone footage, Deborah’s collection of Tik Tok videos, Instagram posts, You Me and the Big C podcasts, family videos and Deborah’s voice notes.
Dame Deborah became known as her online persona Bowelbabe after accruing a huge social media following when she was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer at 35. The mum-of-two and former deputy head teacher was a self-confessed workaholic before receiving the life-changing diagnosis, campaigning to raise awareness about a cancer many didn't speak so openly about it.
Speaking to Prima.co.uk in 2017, Deborah encouraged others to get their symptoms checked out and push for an answer, especially when their gut is telling them something is wrong.
"If you're concerned about anything, even if it's niggling you, it's your body, so be persistent with getting yourself checked. It's much better to break the taboo and go and talk about poo than it is to worry," she said.
Deborah was made a Dame by Prince William in May 2022. Before Deborah's death aged 40 in June 2022, she had been working to establish The Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK which raised more than £7million. She also released the bestselling book F*** You Cancer.
The Fund will support causes and projects 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.
Lucie Kon, Commissioning Editor, BBC Storyville said: "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 th
e powerful, honest and direct way that Deborah communicated, as if she were talking to a friend or confidante."
Dame Deborah is survived by her husband Sebastien and their two children Hugo and Eloise.
For more information about bowel cancer visit Bowel Cancer UK.
BowelBabe: In Her Own Words will air at 9pm on BBC2 on Monday, 17th April and be available on iPlayer.
You Might Also Like
