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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Scarlett O'Toole

Deborah James makes Vogue's influential women of the year list two weeks after her death

Dame Deborah James has made Vogue's list of the 25 most influential women of the year.

The late campaigner - who had been diagnosed with bowel cancer six years ago- passed away last month, aged 40, surrounded by loved ones.

Two weeks on from her tragic death, Dame Deborah has been described as an "incredible" and "inspirational" person by the publication who paid tribute to the awareness she raised.

Deborah had set up the Bowelbabe Fund shortly before her death to raise money and awareness for cancer research. Her fundraising work has now been recognised by the iconic fashion magazine.

"Praised for her candidness, she not only helped other sufferers with practical advice, but convinced many more to visit their GPs.

Deborah James raised a lot of money for cancer research (Mike Marsland / Contour by Getty Images)
She had also raised awareness of symptoms (David M. Benett/Getty Images for Royal Ascot)

"When, in May, James shared her terminal diagnosis, she simultaneously launched a fund for Cancer Research UK. Having raised more than £7 million, her unrivalled campaigning will continue to impact countless lives," Vogue wrote.

The publication said the women on the list - which also includes Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, Sue Gray and Olia Hercules - are "extraordinary" and excel in all corners of life.

Many women on the list have shown resilience which "offers strength to us all."

Deborah's death prompted an outpouring of tributes, with her You, Me and the Big C podcast colleagues recently reminiscing about what it was like to know her as a friend.

During a special edition of the BBC podcast, Lauren Mahon suggested that the person she knew behind-the-scenes was quite different from who fans came to know.

She said: "We're seeing the world mourn this well put-together, fabulous dame who raised millions of pounds. Which we're all so incredibly proud of but we miss our deviant.

"We miss Deborah James who turned up to podcast recordings unwashed and who swore like a sailor and had the biggest cackle ever."

Podcasters Deborah James, Steve Bland and Lauren 'Lolli' Mahon (Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock)
They hosted You, Me and the Big C podcast (Dave Benett/Getty Images)

"I'm really going to miss my little cheeky mate," Lauren added.

Steve Bland, whose late wife Rachel has been an original co-host with Deborah and Lauren, said she will always be remembered to him as a friend.

He said: "We were lucky enough to know her and have her as one of our best mates.

"[We went through] all the good bits, the crappy bits and all the bits in between."

See the full feature in the August issue of British Vogue, available via digital download and on newsstands Tuesday 19th July.

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