Prince William hails campaign in rare intimate video: 'Dame Deborah would be so proud'
Journalist Dame Deborah James, also known as 'Bowel Babe' died from bowel cancer last year.
Deborah James' mum recalls Prince William’s visit
Prince William has shared a rare personal video thanking a new campaign for raising awareness around bowel cancer. The Prince of Wales thanked the team at Lorraine for their 'No Butts' campaign following the death of Dame Deborah James. Last year William visited Ms James' home to personally present her with a Damehood. Sharing the video on Twitter William said: "Dame Deborah James would be so proud of what you and the team are doing to raise awareness of bowel cancer."
In the short video the Prince of Wales said: "Hi Lorraine, I just want to say a big thank you to you and your team for all you're doing to raise awareness around bowel cancer through your No Butts campaign. As you know, I got to meet Dame Deborah so I know how important this was to her, 46,000 people in the UK get diagnosed each year from bowel cancer and yet many of us don't know the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, particularly in us men.
"So if you're watching this, please take a second to listen and learn about the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer because it could save your life."
Ms James, also known as 'Bowel Babe' died in June 2022 following a five-year battle with bowel cancer.
The journalist documented her journey, raising awareness and over £11.3 million for Cancer Research UK.
In her final words released by her family, Ms James 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.”
The mother of two left behind a daughter, Eloise and son, Hugo and her husband Sebastien.
READ MORE: Lorraine Kelly barely holds it together after tearful tribute
Last May Prince William visited Ms James family home in Surrey to give her a Damehood for her campaigning and fundraising.
Ms James, who hosted the 'You, Me And The Big C' podcast said she was "utterly honoured" the visit.
Posting on Instagram she said: "Prince William actually came to our family house today! It's quite surreal having a royal pop in at home, and yes you can imagine the cleaning antics and preparation went off the scale - but it was all irrelevant because William was so kind and he put us all at ease."
Shortly after Ms James was moved to hospice-at-home case saying her body has stopped playing ball".
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Earlier this week Lorraine launched its 'No Butts' campaign, urging viewers to take note of signs and symptoms.
Radio 1's Adele Roberts, who is recovering from bowel cancer appeared on the show to share her journey as she hopes to break the record for the fastest run at the London Marathon with a stoma this weekend.
Ms Roberts said: "
“I’m doing much better than the last time I saw you. I’m starting to just get my life back together and just trying to get a little bit fitter, doing a little run this weekend.”
“Funnily enough, the day after the marathon I’ve got a CT scan just to check that everything's okay and the cancer’s not come back. But I just wanted to do the marathon to reiterate what Dame Deborah said - ‘Rebellious Hope’.
"And I feel like it’s my way of standing up to the cancer and just saying ‘No more please, I’ve had enough!’