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.
Hotspur Press to be part-demolished following catastrophic fire
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s historic Hotspur Press will be partially demolished following the fire that tore through the building earlier this week.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said that part of the centuries-old mill would need to be pulled down to enable safe firefighting.
The Hotspur Press building stands just off Whitworth Street West behind Oxford Road train station, and previously operated as a printing press.
It later became a home for artist studios and creative spaces until officially becoming derelict in the late 2010s.
Despite standing empty, the magnificent old mill has been an iconic and oft-photographed landmark in Manchester, and one of only a handful left in the city centre.
But that huge fire on Monday evening has gutted the Hotspur Press, and now it will be ‘partially’ demolished.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “Firefighters continue to work hard to bring the fire at Hotspur Press to a safe conclusion. Alongside Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Police and partners, a decision has now been made to partially demolish the Hotspur Press building over the coming days.
“This is to enable safe firefighting and excavation in areas that are currently inaccessible, mitigating any risk to life. This will also allow safe internal investigations to begin.”
Plans have been in place to turn The Hotspur Press into a student accommodation tower block, which had included a 35-storey student tower built out of the original mill facade.
The Manc has contacted property developers Manner, who own the Hotspur Press site, to see what will happen to the space following the blaze.
Review | Dua Lipa had Anfield levitating on her first night in Liverpool
Thomas Melia
British-Albanian performer and prolific pop star Dua Lipa is halfway through her first-ever international stadium tour, and it’s nothing shy of a spectacle – night one in Liverpool living, breathing, levitating proof.
To say I wasn’t singing more than half of this setlist verbatim would be a lie; the setlist for Lipa’s Radical Optimism tour is stacked with hits upon mega hits.
Her commanding single ‘Training Season’ kicks things off and besides getting the whole stadium hyped up, it sets the tone for the night ahead, one Dua has full control of, and also features a firework or two.
Within 15 minutes of stepping onto the stage, the unofficial anthem of Anfield’s resident football club and recently re-crowned Premier League champions, Liverpool FC, was played.
Dua Lipa performing ‘Physical’ at Anfield Stadium.Smiles all round at the ‘Radical Optimism’ tour in Liverpool.Credit: Audio North
In fact, ‘One Kiss’ was met with an unmatched electric energy that she ended up playing it again later on, because why the hell not?
This isn’t just a song: it’s a beast. When you’re playing a song that’s spent eight weeks at No.1, has 2.5 billion streams and at an arena with a legacy like Anfield‘s, there was simply no way these fans were going to be tame.
Similarly, partway through the second act, Lipa had the audience wrapped around her fingers once more as she played the dance-inducing smash ‘Levitating’. In that moment, we were all her “sugarboos.”
This was a proper crowd-pleasing moment. To be honest, they all were.
As we strut our stuff into the third act, we’re met with another dancefloor filler, ‘Physical’, fans were ready and waiting to chant “let’s get physical” with the superstar.
The fourth act, on the other hand, was much more relaxed. Ms. Lipa took some time to show her love to some of the album’s deeper cuts; I greatly appreciated being able to belt out “How looong?” as she played ‘Falling Forever.’
She finished this segment with the song that started it all, one she’s never forgotten to play since bursting onto the music scene back in 2015: ‘Be The One.’
Dua Lipa and Dave McCabe (The Zutons) performing ‘Valerie’.The superstar taking pictures with fans at Anfield.Liverpool is in for a treat if the second Dua Lipa show is even half as good as night one at Anfield.
Dua, let us tell you something, you’ll always be the one.
The encore felt like the epitome of all things Dua Lipa. It’s like when you hear that one ABBA megamix that has you shouting, “Oh, I know this one… and I know this one too!”
And rightly so, with a back-to-back, four-song medley spanning from ‘New Rules’ and ‘Dance the Night’, to ‘Don’t Start Now’ and ‘Houdini’. Perfect, perfect, perfect.
— DANIEL is calling..☎️💜 (@daniel__SG) June 24, 2025
After this medley, night one of the ‘Radical Optimism’ tour was over, but we and the fans were certainly left feeling radically optimistic.
Come on, how can you not be when the timeless classic ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ by Whitney Houston is soundtracking your concert exit?
I have one last question for anyone who hasn’t splashed the cash for one of her shows yet… if you’re not watching Dua Lipa live, then ‘Whatcha Doing’?
Lipa had the crowd well and truly in her fingertips.Dua gave quite the performance in Merseyside.An increasing master of not just pop songs but stagecraft too. (Credit: Audio North)
Emily Sergeant -
29th June 2022 
