Deborah James has said she is ‘blown away’ after being made a Dame for her tireless campaigning for cancer charities.
The inspirational broadcaster and author announced earlier this week that she is receiving hospice care at home after stopping her cancer treatment, and has said she ‘could have weeks to live at most’.
In recent days, the You, Me & The Big C host has raised over £3million for charities that have helped her over the past five years, through her Bowelbabe Fund.
After calls for her to receive the Royal honour, it has been revealed that Deborah is now officially Dame Deborah James.
‘I don’t know what to say. I’m blown away and feel incredibly honoured,’ she said reacting to the news.
She added to The Sun: ‘I don’t feel like I deserve this. I can’t tell you what this means to my family, it’s so much to take in.’
Dame Deborah’s husband Sebastien Bowen said the public support of the fundraiser has ‘brought a piercing ray of light and hope into this, the darkest of times’, adding that the Damehood is ‘so truly deserved’.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson backed the move and hailed Dame Deborah as an figure of inspiration to the country.
‘If ever an honour was richly deserved, this is it,’ the leader said.
‘Deborah has been an inspiration and her honesty, warmth and courage has been a source of strength to so many people.
‘Through her tireless campaigning and by so openly sharing her experience she has not only helped in our fight against this terrible disease, she has ensured countless others with the Big C have not felt alone. I hope this recognition from Her Majesty — backed I’m sure by the whole country — will provide some comfort to Deborah and her family at this difficult time.
‘My thoughts are with them and Deborah should know she has the country’s love and gratitude.’
It comes after Prince William and Kate Middleton tweeted a message of support to Dame Deborah, while also making a donation of an undisclosed amount to The Bowelbabe Fund.
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