The final months of the life of inspiring cancer victim Dame Deborah James will be shown in a "powerful and beautiful" new BBC2 documentary.
‘Bowelbabe: In Her Own Words’ was filmed with Deborah in the last months of her life, and she talks frankly about her diagnosis, treatment and shares many personal moments whilst dancing and documenting what the reality of living with bowel cancer was really like for her and those closest to her.
The podcast host and mother-of-two, who became known as Bowelbabe, died in June last year aged 40 after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016.
The new 80 minute BBC film will feature never before seen 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.
Commissioning Editor Lucie Kon 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 the powerful, honest and direct way that Deborah communicated, as if she were talking to a friend or confidante.”
Deborah was made a Dame by Prince William in May 2022. Before her death in June 2022 she worked to establish The Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK which raised more than £7million.
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 Charity and Bowel Cancer UK.
Dame Deborah, a former deputy headteacher, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 and subsequently kept her nearly one million Instagram followers up to date with her treatments.
Her candid posts about her progress and diagnosis, including videos of her dancing her way through treatment, won praise from both the public and media.
In her final months, the presenter of the BBC podcast You, Me And The Big C raised almost £7 million for cancer research, with the amount climbing further following her death.
* Bowelbabe: In Her Own Words is coming soon to BBC2 and BBC iPlayer.
