Defiant Deborah James posts comparison pics at her ‘favourite place’ 5yrs later as she vows to ‘still live whilst dying’

DEFIANT Deborah James has posted poignant comparison pictures of her enjoying a day at her "favourite place" five years apart.

The Sun columnist, 40, vowed she would "still live whilst dying" and relived her precious memories with hubby Sebastien Bowen at Glyndebourne opera house.

The devoted duo got dressed up to the nines to watch La bohème at the venue in East Sussex on Saturday.

Opera-lover Debs explained she was "trying to see a few of her favourites one last time" as she receives end of life care for her bowel cancer.

She shared two stunning snaps of herself side by side, explaining to fans the last time she had attended the esteemed opera house was "five years ago to the week."

The mum-of-two wrote: "At that point, I was seven months into my diagnosis and once again just trying to make the most of not knowing what lay ahead."

She was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in December 2016, but still got glam to go to Glyndebourne for her "favourite time of year".

Despite her health deteriorating over the years, her infectious smile remains exactly the same in both shots.

Dame Deborah followed the post up with another comparison picture, showing her and Sebastian in 2017 and now.

The loved-up pair are seen proudly posing among the beautiful grounds, as Debs joked: "Seb still looking dapper in his black tie!"

She added: "I can't believe I was last here five years ago this week - scared, newly diagnosed, just trying to do the same as I'm doing now - taking things one day at a time!"

But as always, she was honest about the toll the magical day in her "special place" had taken on her.

The mum, known by fans as , explained: "But be under no illusion! I'm knackered! I've worked out it takes me longer to get ready and organised to go than the time I actually last anywhere!

"Getting dressed is tiring, getting meds organised is tiring, the extra moving, the travel, the wondering what mood your stomach is in - it's all real!

"But then the feeling of making it to something you didn't think possible, having put makeup on, donning new shoes, with the sunshine smiling - well then it's all worth it!

"It's a kind of cheeky 'still living whilst dying' two fingers up to it all."

I can't believe I was last here five years ago this week - scared, newly diagnosed, just trying to do the same as I'm doing now - taking things one day at a time!

Dame Debs

Deborah has been relishing in the summer months and soaking up the sunshine whenever she can - saying she is "trying to find the diamond moments in the rough."

The podcast host has been receiving end of life care for her Bowel Cancer since the beginning of May.