Dame Deborah James’ potentially lifesaving last words are being shared far and wide after it was announced that she has sadly died at age 40.
Tributes have been pouring celebrating the life of influential journalist, podcast host, and campaigner, Dame Deborah James – better known as the Bowel Babe – ever since the heartbreaking news broke that she had passed away on Wednesday following diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer back in 2016.
Dame Deborah announced back in early May this year that her cancer was terminal, and was to begin hospice-at-home palliative care.
Dame Deborah passed away “peacefully” surrounded by her family.
A statement confirming her passing shared by her loved ones on Instagram read: “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 BowelBabe Fund.
“Thank you for playing your part in her journey, you are all incredible.”
Since receiving the tragic news that her cancer was terminal, and setting up the BowelBabe Fund, Dame Deborah went on gone on to raise a whopping £6.9 million and counting for Cancer Research UK to raise awareness of bowel cancer and “fund clinical trials and research into personalised medicine for cancer patients”.
In her final days, she also inspired leading toilet roll manufacturer Andrex, and retail giant M&S to partner with charity Bowel Cancer UK as part of the #GetOnARoll campaign and commit to adding the symptoms of bowel cancer and lifesaving information to millions of toilet roll packages stocked on shelves across the UK.
At the end of the statement confirming her passing, Dame Deborah’s last words were shared by her family in a short message – and they could potentially save millions of lives.
Dame Deborah said: “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.”
Bowel Cancer UK says almost half of adults in the UK can’t name a single symptom of bowel cancer, despite it being the fourth most common cancer, and it says that knowing the symptoms, and acting on them, means that bowel cancer can be diagnosed earlier when it is more treatable and curable.
Fewer than 40% of people are diagnosed with bowel cancer at the earliest stages, and the charity says “we can change this and ultimately save more lives”.
We’re deeply saddened that our patron, @bowelbabe, has died, and our hearts go out to her family and everyone who knew and loved her. Deborah’s star shone bright; she was a true inspiration to so many. pic.twitter.com/Hf2aDATftZ
Bowel cancer is very treatable, but the earlier it’s diagnosed, the easier it is to treat, and people whose cancer is diagnosed at an early stage have a much higher chance of successful treatment than those whose cancer has become more widespread.
If you have any symptoms, Bowel Cancer UK is encouraging people not to be embarrassed and not to ignore them, as “doctors are used to seeing lots of people with bowel problems”.
Symptoms can include:
Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo
A persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit
Unexplained weight loss
Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
A pain or lump in your tummy
Most people with these symptoms don’t have bowel cancer, and other health problems can cause similar symptoms – but if you have any of these, or if things just don’t feel right, you are advised to go to see your GP.
You may need to visit your doctor more than once if your symptoms don’t get better.
Find out more information on the Bowel Cancer UK website here.
Manchester City staff member sacked after wearing Man United shirt to shift
Danny Jones
Man City have divided a fair few supporters after they sacked a barman for wearing a United shirt to their shift during the Manchester derby.
Although it’s not exactly surprising, the decision has ruffled plenty of feathers on both sides, as well as among neutral fans.
The Blues emerged victorious in the 197th clash between the two local rivals, winning 3-0 on an evening that paid tribute to the late, great Ricky Hatton, but another backstory looming over the fixture that caught the attention of football fans online was the City staff member who lost his job.
Working on concessions inside the Etihad Stadium before the game, the barman was made known to the official MCFC Matchday Support channel on X, who quickly confirmed he had been let go before the game even began.
In the since-deleted post, the home fan who reported the worker wrote: “Absolute joke – letting one of the bar staff in block 315 wear a United shirt on Derby Day.”
Although many City fans applauded the fast action by the club on the day, it’s fair to say that sacking him so soon that he didn’t even last until kick-off has rubbed many others the wrong way.
One Liverpool fan commented: “I hate United way more than City, but to sack him from a job because of an item of clothing is crazy. So, so poor from Manchester City, this. It’s just football lads, he’s not wearing a political or derogatory symbol. It’s literally a football team…”
Another neutral added: “Getting a minimum wage worker sacked for having a bit of fun instead of just winding him up is the absolute sad state this country is in.”
Even the ‘Out Of Context Football Manager‘ parody account chipped in, writing: “The guy’s been sacked for this. All he needed was a formal warning. I get he’s taking the p*ss – but losing a salary he might really need over this?!
While many have been even more outspoken in their response, as you can see, many supporters – be they Red or otherwise – have come up with arguably the perfect solution:
Manchester City are yet to comment on the backlash, apart from the initial confirmation that the still-anonymous staff member has been released from his position, but as for Man United, simply sticking him on the kiosks in the Stretford End could prove to be a very easy bit of positive PR.
Besides the growing frustration around the fanbase, as Ruben Amorim has yet to turn things around at Old Trafford (pressure was growing even before the derby day defeat), the Red Devils could no doubt do with some positive press for a change.
In fact, it was only earlier this year that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada and the wider INEOS Sports administration sanctioned a second round of redundancies at United, with approximately 450 individuals losing their jobs.
That being said, although some have labelled the sacking of the now ex-City barman as “absolutely horrendous behaviour” for Man City, many jumped to quip back that “[United are] more likely to sack more bar staff, not hire them”, as well as simultaneously taking aim at their significant transfer spending.
Featured Images — Mataniels via X (now deleted)/The Manc Group
News
Teen arrested on suspicion of murder after 15-year-old boy is killed in Moss Side stabbing
Emily Sergeant
A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the killing of a 15-year-old boy in Moss Side yesterday.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called out to reports of a ‘disturbance’ involving a number of people on Monton Street in Moss Side at just after 4:30pm yesterday (15 September), and when they arrived on the scene, they found a 15-year-old boy with serious stab wounds.
After being treated both at the scene and later in hospital, the boy was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.
#NEWS | A 15-year-old boy has sadly been pronounced dead, murder investigation launched and S60 put in place for the below area following an disturbance on Monton Street, Moss Side earlier this evening (15 September).
Due to the shocking nature of the incident, police confirmed that a Section 60 – which allows officers to ‘stop and search’ people within a specific area – has been put in place until 5:20pm this evening.
With enquiries currently ongoing, and GMP describing the investigation as ‘progressing at pace’, it has now been confirmed that a teenager, also a 15-year-old boy, the same as the victim, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and he remains in police custody for questioning.
His family are aware of this development and continue to be supported by specially-trained officers.
#ARREST | Following our earlier update, a 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.
This arrest comes after the death of another 15-year-old boy on Monton Street, Moss Side yesterday (15 September 2025).
“There is a thorough investigation plan in place as we look to find the perpetrator of this appalling act that has seen a young man lose his life,” explained Chief Superintendent David Meeney, from GMP’s City of Manchester district.
“This incident will understandably have caused shock and concern within the community and the surrounding area, particularly those who witnessed it, so you will see an increased police presence in the area over the coming days.
“We remain committed to providing the victim’s family with the answers they deserve.”
Anyone with any information, or who may have been in the area at the time of the incident, is urged to contact GMP on 101 or online, quoting log 2327 of 15/09/25.
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Emily Sergeant -
29th June 2022 
