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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Brogan-Leigh Hurst

Deborah James says trying to 'get her head around dying' would 'keep her awake at night'

Deborah James previously revealed her bowel cancer battle kept her up at night as she 'found it hard to get her head around dying'.

The You, Me & The Big C podcast host, 40, has been vocal about her five-year fight with the illness in her BBC show with co-host Lauren Mahon.

The podcaster has been vocal about her illness since she was diagnosed - and last night sadly told her followers she is dying from the cancer.

Deborah set out to raise £250,000 on JustGiving for charity Cancer Research - but has exceeded the goal and to her surprise, has raised £1million.

Deborah James previously said the thought of dying kept her awake at night (Internet Unknown)

Her best pal and former Radio 5 Live co-star Rachael Bland tragically passed away from the disease in 2018 - and her legacy has lived on.

Rachael's widow Steve Bland took her place on the podcast following her death.

In a previous podcast episode from that year, where Deborah, Lauren and Steve discussed the loss of Rachael, the broadcaster revealed her worries about the illness - and what keeps her awake at night.

"We've said this a lot on the pod - people don't talk about death, so you don't know the process to look out for," Lauren said.

Speaking to Lauren, Steve and listeners, she explained: "I Googled, 'What happens when you die' and I keep on Googling the process.

She has been battling bowel cancer for five years (Instagram)

"It happens in various waves, on and off since my diagnosis. I've done it recently since Rachael's diagnosis and a couple of other things that have gone on.

"It's because I know a lot of people dying and I always imagine them in pain."

She added: "All I can focus on is that process. Even if I can get my head around the fact of dying, the process, and the people going through those last few days, I cannot bear it.

"That is what keeps me lying awake at night."

On Monday night, the presenter - who goes by the name Bowelbabe on her social media platforms - admitted things took a turn for the worst as she confirmed she doesn't have long left to live.

The Radio 5 Live presenter is also known as Bowelbabe (GL Weekend)

Deborah said that although she had been fighting her illness for five years, it was still not easy to accept and to say goodbye.

The brave star penned: "The tweet I never wanted to write. The time has come to say goodbye.

"It has been 5 years to prepare, doesn't make it any easy.

"I'm under hospice at home care and I'm spending my time surrounded by my family. Please buy me a wine to see me out and raise vital funds."

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