Dame Deborah James, host of the BBC’s podcast You, Me, and the Big C, died at the age of 40. James was a mother of two. She battled intestinal cancer, which she was diagnosed with in 2016. Her family confirmed her death by posting a memorial on social media. “We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Dame Deborah James; the most amazing wife, daughter, sister, mummy,” reads the message.

She died quietly, surrounded by her family. James was an advocate for cancer awareness, and her success in cancer fundraising earned her a damehood. She discussed her personal cancer challenges in order to “raise awareness, break down barriers, challenge taboos, and change the conversation around cancer,” according to her family.

“Even in her most challenging moments, her determination to raise money and awareness was inspiring.” Following her diagnosis, when doctors gave her only two years to live, James, who defied the odds and lasted six years longer, launched a blog called Bowel Babe. She attempted to break down the taboos around living with this ailment through her blog, and the following year she was granted a column in The Sun.

This beloved deputy head teacher specializing in computer science and e-learning founded the You, Me, and the Big C podcast on BBC with fellow cancer warriors Lauren Mahon and Rachael Bland, who died in 2019, a year after the series began. In her first book, F*** You Cancer: How to Face the Big C, Live Your Life, and Still Be Yourself, published in 2018, James addressed her children, Hugo and Eloise, who were nine and seven years old at the time of her heartbreaking diagnosis, respectively.

“Hugo, Eloise, you are my world. You are my everything, and I adore you beyond words. Know that no matter what happens, I am with you, at your side, and I believe you are capable of doing anything you choose. I’m so proud of you, and all I ask in life is that you make the most of each and every day,” she added.