Touching tributes have been pouring in for cancer campaigner Dame Deborah James, who has died from bowel cancer.
The inspiring 40-year-old was a co-host of BBC’s You, Me and the Big C podcast, which she launched with Lauren Mahon and the late Rachael Bland.
She is known to many as Bowel Babe thanks to her tireless campaigning to raise awareness of bowel cancer, which most recently included setting up the Bowel Babe Fund (it’s raised £6.8m and counting).
One of the most moving tributes paid to Deborah so far comes from Steve Bland, who stepped in as presenter after the death of his wife Rachael.
Steve wrote: “How many of us will be able to look back on our lives and say that people are alive becomes of what we’ve done? Deb can. She banged the drum for bowel cancer to educate us all on the symptoms, and she tirelessly campaigned for drugs and treatments to be made available. Thousands of people are alive today because of Deb.
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Deborah James with her podcast co-hosts, who have paid tribute. Credit: Instagram, @mr_blandy
“We didn’t know each other that well before Rach died. In fact, Deb’s first text to me was just before she died in 2018. No gushy stuff – just ‘how can I help?’ To so many people she was this kick ass cancer campaigner. To me and those of us who were lucky enough to know her well, she was just our friend, and I’m going to miss her so so much. I’ll even miss the streams of WhatsApps in the middle of the night when she was on steroids!
“I’ve got so much more to say and I’m sure I’ll get chance to say it. But for now, sleep easy gorgeous Deb. You achieved everything, you changed the world and I’m so proud of you.”
Lauren Mahon has written: “Love and thoughts are of course with the hearts of @bowelbabe’s family and friends, espesh the kids.
“There’s only one Deborah James. Please give me time.”
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Deborah’s mother Heather, also known as Bowelgran, simply wrote: “My heart is broken. Love you forever.”
Dame Deborah James with her husband, children, and Prince William. Credit: Instagram, @bowelbabe
Adele Roberts, who has herself just been given the all-clear from bowel cancer, said: “My heart hurts. Thank you for everything Deborah. Thank you for being so strong for so long and helping others when you were in so much pain yourself.
“You are the best of us. Thinking of your family and friends and I am forever grateful to you for helping me and my family. Rebellious hope forever.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote: “I’m terribly saddened to hear that Dame Deborah James has died. What an inspiration she was to so many. The awareness she brought to bowel cancer and the research her campaigning has funded will be her enduring legacy. Because of her, many many lives will be saved.”
Rachael Bland, Deborah James and Lauren Mahon, the original co-hosts of You, Me and the Big C. Credit: Instagram, @iamlaurenmahon
Angela Rayner also paid tribute, writing: “Rest in peace Deborah James. What an incredible, fierce, bright and brilliant woman. An absolutely extraordinary campaigner. Thank you for your rebellious hope and the millions you have inspired @bowelbabe. Thinking of your many loved ones.”
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Lorraine Kelly said: “We will be celebrating the life of our friend and force of nature @bowelbabe on todays show. We all knew it was coming but somehow I thought Deborah would bounce back like she always did. What a legacy she leaves us. Sending so much love to her family and everyone who knew her.”
BBC presented Jon Kay added: “We all knew this day was coming – but it doesn’t make the news any easier to hear. We’ll reflect on the life and legacy of the wonderful @bowelbabe on #BBCBreakfast tomorrow morning. Love to Deborah’s friends and family.”
Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of the NHS, said: “On behalf of the whole NHS, I want to offer my condolences to the loved ones of Deborah James — her amazing attitude was humbling and a lesson to us all. Her fundraising has helped countless cancer patients and her determination to raise awareness will have saved many lives.”
The news of Deborah’s death was announced yesterday by her family, who said: “We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Dame Deborah James; the most amazing wife, daughter, sister, mummy. Deborah passed away peacefully today, surrounded by her family.
“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 @bowelbabefund
“Thank you for playing your part in her journey, you are all incredible.
“And a few final things from Deborah…“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.” x”
Featured image: Instagram, @bowelbabe
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Salford Red Devils granted another adjournment over unpaid debts
Danny Jones
Salford Red Devils have been given one more adjournment and yet another stay of execution, being given another two weeks to find the money to cover their unpaid debts.
The local rugby league side, which has been wrapped in all manner of struggles both on and off-pitch over the past year or so, reportedly needs to pay around £700,000 to HMRC alone and still owes roughly £5 million in total to various creditors.
To no surprise, regular matchgoers, neutrals and even rivals alike have expressed their continued disappointment with the club, mainly at the lack of transparency and clarity from the organisation throughout this long, drawn-out process.
This is coming from a wire fan but no club deserves to be left in the dark even longer than they already have done it’s nothing but a disgrace to the sport of rugby those owners and the court should be ashamed of themselves.
Updating fans on social media, this is all the information they have communicated at this time: “Salford Red Devils can confirm that HMRC have granted the club a two-week adjournment, providing additional time in which to secure the necessary funds.
“We would like to reassure supporters that we are working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure a positive resolution. Further updates will be shared as soon as possible.”
It’s worth noting that the current owners have reiterated that they inheited around £3m in existing debt before they took over the club, but assurances over their own investments have still come to nothing; meanwhile, with many still waiting on wages, players and staff alike have now left.
Having been propped up by loan players and emergency loans, the team is now closer to a skeleton crew than it is an outfit capable of competing in the premier division.
Either way, the outrage remains and is only growing stronger. One user wrote on X: “A good approach by them if they was legit would be to engage and bring in The 1873 to bridge the communication black hole (they created).
“The problem with that is if they did it would expose them for what they are… Extortionists using the club as a vehicle.”
More alarm bells were raised recently when assistant coach and Krisnan Inu – who was also director of the company set up to take over the business – withdrew himself from a key position behind the scenes.
Speaking of The 1873, the outspoken supporters trust took no time at all in issuing a response of their own, adding: “The judge presiding over today’s case has adjourned by 14 days. This adjournment has dragged the uncertainty on even longer.
“Every delay makes planning for 2026 harder and keeps the club stuck in limbo when it desperately needs clarity and direction.
“The fans, the players and the future all deserve better — The 1873.”
You can see the rest of their statement in full down below, but for now, what do you make of this seemingly neverending saga, Salfordians?
‘Christmas chaos’ on the cards as Manchester tram drivers vote on staging strike action next month
Emily Sergeant
There could be major disruption to festive travel in Greater Manchester next month, as hundreds of tram drivers are currently voting on whether to strike.
Almost 320 tram drivers are being balloted over working conditions and fears around fatigue.
The drivers – who are members of the union, Unite – all work for KeolisAmey Metrolink Limited at the Warwick Road South and Queens Road depots in Manchester – and they operate trams on all routes in Greater Manchester.
As it stands, the drivers’ shift patterns currently mean they have to work 450 hours over a 12-week period, which results in some having to work 50 hours on, followed by just two days off, then back into another 50-hour work pattern.
Drivers also have fewer rest days compared to all other operational departments, and this is said to be causing safety concerns around fatigue.
‘Christmas chaos’ is on the cards as Manchester tram drivers are currently voting on staging strike action next month / Credit: TfGM
Drivers say they concerned about operating heavy vehicles while exhausted and unable to have proper breaks, but after raising the issue with management, Unite has been told there is ‘no funding available’ to support any ‘meaningful’ improvements to working patterns.
Instead, management has asked drivers to start work earlier – which Unite says is only ‘adding insult to injury’.
The ballot is set to close on 11 November, and if drivers vote in favour of industrial action, strikes could then begin in late November, causing widespread cancellations and delays throughout the region during the busy festive shopping period – particularly coinciding with Manchester’s world-famous Christmas Markets, known for attracting millions of visitors to the city each year.
“Any strike action will cause a great deal of disruption but it is entirely the fault of Metrolink, which is not taking the issue of driver fatigue seriously,” commented Unite Regional Officer, Colin Hayden.
Daisy Jackson -
29th June 2022 
