By Big C podcast host Deborah James honoured with damehood
Podcast host Deborah James has been honoured with a damehood, days after revealing she is receiving end-of-life care.
Since Monday she has raised over £4 million after launching a fund for others with cancer.
Dame Deborah, 40, is now being cared for at her parents’ home following the announcement that she has stopped hospital treatment.
Damehoods and knighthoods are usually announced as part of the New Year Honours or the Queen’s Birthday Honours but, in exceptional circumstances, some are announced at other times of the year.
Downing Street confirmed the honour in a press release, which said: “The Queen has been pleased to approve that the honour of Damehood be conferred upon Deborah James.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “If ever an honour was richly deserved, this is it. 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.”
Dame Deborah began co-presenting You, Me and the Big C alongside Lauren Mahon and Rachael Bland in 2018.
The show earned widespread praise for its candid conversations and addressing practical matters, including hair loss, tips for dealing with finances and telling your nearest and dearest about illnesses.
On Monday, she revealed she did not know how long she had left to live after stopping treatment and moving to hospice-at-home care.
She also announced the Bowelbabe fund, which will help research into personalised medicine for cancer patients and to support campaigns to raise awareness of bowel cancer.
The fund, named after her online social media handle, surpassed £1m in less than 24 hours despite only having the initial goal of £250,000.
