Deborah James' funeral

The podcast host, who became known as Bowelbabe, died last month aged 40 after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016. | ITV News London.

She was made a dame for her “tireless” work improving awareness of the disease, with the honour conferred by the Duke of Cambridge, who joined her family for afternoon tea and champagne at home. An attached note said: “Deborah, thank you to our extraordinary friend. In her final months, the presenter of the BBC podcast You, Me And The Big C raised almost £7 million for cancer research, with the amount climbing further following her death. Dame Deborah, a former deputy headteacher, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 and subsequently kept her nearly one million Instagram followers up to date with her treatments. Her husband and son were among those who carried the wicker coffin, adorned with the rose that bears her name, into St Mary’s Church in Barnes on Wednesday afternoon. After the service, the family left the church with bowed heads for a private wake, while Dame Deborah’s coffin was carried away by car.

The cancer campaigner died last month, six years after her diagnosis.

A note attached to the wreath said: “Deborah, thank you to our extraordinary friend. The wicker coffin was adorned with a rose that bore James’ name. James died at the age of 40 last month after a six-year battle with bowel cancer.

The family came out of St Mary's Church in Barnes in silence and bowed their heads before leaving for a private wake, as Dame Deborah's coffin was driven away ...

I am incredibly proud of us.’ In recognition of her incredible efforts, she received a Damehood, and received a visit from Prince William, who also paid tribute following her death, along with his wife, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge. It read: ‘Deborah, thank you to our extraordinary friend. ‘The woman who had the most outrageous cackle, the woman who would show up to recordings disheveled, and the twinkle in her eye. She had charted her cancer journey on her Instagram account as well as her podcast; You, Me and the Big C alongside Steve Bland and Lauren Mahon and, in the final weeks of her life, raised more than £6million for Cancer Research UK. Lorraine, who was close with James and worked with her on a campaign surrounding bowel cancer on her show, was seen arriving at the church dressed in all black as she prepared to pay her respects.

The 40-year-old podcast host, who became known as Bowelbabe, her social media handle, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 and died this June.

A note said: "Deborah, thank you to our extraordinary friend. In her final months, the presenter of You, Me And The Big C raised nearly £7m for cancer research, with the amount going up more following her death and she was described as an "inspiration". The 40-year-old podcast host, who became known as Bowelbabe, her social media handle, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 and died this June.

Dame Deborah's husband, Sebastien, delivers a eulogy at the service, while their children Hugo and Eloise read poems.

After the service, the family left the church with bowed heads for a private wake, while Dame Deborah's coffin was carried away by car. She was made a dame for her "tireless" work improving awareness of the disease, with the honour conferred by the Duke of Cambridge, who joined her family for afternoon tea and champagne at home. An attached note said: "Deborah, thank you to our extraordinary friend.

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Lorraine Kelly and Gaby Roslin carried a wreath of flowers into the service with a note saying: “Deborah, thank you to our extraordinary friend. The private service in memory of the podcast host Dame Deborah took place on Wednesday July 20, nearly a month after she lost her battle with bowel cancer. Following the You, Me and the Big C podcast host’s diagnosis in 2016, Dame Deborah kept her followers up to date on her treatments and inspired millions with her campaign to raise awareness for bowel cancer.

Sebastien and son Hugo were among those who carried the wicker coffin, adorned with the rose that bears her name, into the church on Wednesday afternoon. Her ...

You together with Seb, Eloise and Hugo are such an important part of our family, we will love and miss you forever.’ Ahead of the private service, family members carried a wreath of white flowers into the church. The family came out of the church in silence and bowed their heads before leaving for a private wake, as James’ coffin was driven away from the church.

The mother-of-two, who became known as Bowelbabe , her social media handle, died last month aged 40 after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016.

"There’s a big church in Barnes and I’ll leave Seb to decide on the reception, as long as there is tequila. Deborah wanted Tell Me It's Not True from Blood Brothers to be played - as well as plenty of tequila at the reception. The siblings said a heartbreaking goodbye before her death, with Ben jetting off to the United States for his holiday at her insistence. The former deputy headteacher was diagnosed with bowel cancer at just 35-years-old and subsequently kept her nearly one million Instagram followers up to date with her treatments. As well as drinking champagne with Prince William at her parents' pad when she was made a Dame, Deborah also rocked up at Ascot and Glyndebourne opera house - looking fabulous. Lorraine, 62, and Gaby Roslin, who were both friends of Dame Deborah, filed into the church alongside family members carrying a wreath of white flowers.

Dame Deborah James had planned her funeral and it was “perfection,” according to Lorraine Kelly who attended the ceremony.

Dame Deborah had captured the hearts of the nation for her endless campaigning in efforts to raise awareness of bowel cancer after she was diagnosed with the illness in 2016. Dame Deborah raised a whopping £7 million for cancer research within the last few months of her life. During the emotional service, Dame Deborah’s husband Sebastien delivered a eulogy while the couple’s children Hugo and Eloise both read out poems.