Deborah James: Bowelbabe In Her Own Words viewers in tears watching ‘heartbreaking’ documentary
DAME Deborah James's army of fans were in tears tonight as a 'heartbreaking' documentary about the late Bowelbabe aired on the BBC.
Viewers tuning in for Deborah James: Bowelbabe In Her Own Words were devastated watching the brave campaigner's fight in the powerful film - and hailed her once again as a hero.
Admirers of Deb, the incredible former school teacher and The Sun columnist who tragically passed away last June aged 40 after a six year battle with terminal bowel cancer, flocked to social media to share their emotions as the programme screened on BBC2.
"Watching this on BBCTwo and am hugely moved by it, to tears," one wrote on twitter. "The reality is so harsh."
"What an amazing woman, am in tears watching this. Please check your poo," added another.
"Never seen such an incredible lady," weighed in a third.
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"Heartbreaking yet fabulous," a fourth summed up of Deb's indomitable spirit.
"What a moving, powerful and beautiful documentary," said a fifth. "Don't mind admitting there were tears in my eyes watching this remarkable lady's battle against bowel cancer. What an inspiration Debs was/ is."
The documentary delved into her scrapbook for a view of the real Debs and told her inspiring story in her own words.
For her parents Heather and Alistair, the film — which aired tonight at 9pm on BBC2 — was a “very emotional and, at times, hard watch”.
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The couple told The Sun: “It brings it home that she’s not here any more, but it also shows what a crazy, wonderful girl she was.”
The documentary told the story of Deborah’s life with stage 4 bowel cancer, from diagnosis to the weeks before she died last summer.
For Heather and Alistair it’s a familiar story, but to see it all in one feature-length film brought back the incredible impact their daughter’s life had on them and her fans.
“It’s a really honest account of what it’s like to live with and face dying from stage 4 cancer,” Alistair said.
“Many people only came to know Deborah in her last seven weeks, when there was an incredible outpouring of love for her.
“The film is an opportunity for people to see the impact she made in the whole five years she lived with cancer.
“What’s lovely is the unseen footage of her as a child. She was always so energetic and full of life.
“Deborah was always the same — cancer made her more determined but it didn’t change her.”
