Touching tributes have been pouring in for cancer campaigner Dame Deborah James, who has died from bowel cancer.
The inspiring 40-year-old was a co-host of BBC’s You, Me and the Big C podcast, which she launched with Lauren Mahon and the late Rachael Bland.
She is known to many as Bowel Babe thanks to her tireless campaigning to raise awareness of bowel cancer, which most recently included setting up the Bowel Babe Fund (it’s raised £6.8m and counting).
One of the most moving tributes paid to Deborah so far comes from Steve Bland, who stepped in as presenter after the death of his wife Rachael.
Steve wrote: “How many of us will be able to look back on our lives and say that people are alive becomes of what we’ve done? Deb can. She banged the drum for bowel cancer to educate us all on the symptoms, and she tirelessly campaigned for drugs and treatments to be made available. Thousands of people are alive today because of Deb.
Deborah James with her podcast co-hosts, who have paid tribute. Credit: Instagram, @mr_blandy
“We didn’t know each other that well before Rach died. In fact, Deb’s first text to me was just before she died in 2018. No gushy stuff – just ‘how can I help?’ To so many people she was this kick ass cancer campaigner. To me and those of us who were lucky enough to know her well, she was just our friend, and I’m going to miss her so so much. I’ll even miss the streams of WhatsApps in the middle of the night when she was on steroids!
“I’ve got so much more to say and I’m sure I’ll get chance to say it. But for now, sleep easy gorgeous Deb. You achieved everything, you changed the world and I’m so proud of you.”
Lauren Mahon has written: “Love and thoughts are of course with the hearts of @bowelbabe’s family and friends, espesh the kids.
“There’s only one Deborah James. Please give me time.”
Deborah’s mother Heather, also known as Bowelgran, simply wrote: “My heart is broken. Love you forever.”
Dame Deborah James with her husband, children, and Prince William. Credit: Instagram, @bowelbabe
Adele Roberts, who has herself just been given the all-clear from bowel cancer, said: “My heart hurts. Thank you for everything Deborah. Thank you for being so strong for so long and helping others when you were in so much pain yourself.
“You are the best of us. Thinking of your family and friends and I am forever grateful to you for helping me and my family. Rebellious hope forever.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote: “I’m terribly saddened to hear that Dame Deborah James has died. What an inspiration she was to so many. The awareness she brought to bowel cancer and the research her campaigning has funded will be her enduring legacy. Because of her, many many lives will be saved.”
Rachael Bland, Deborah James and Lauren Mahon, the original co-hosts of You, Me and the Big C. Credit: Instagram, @iamlaurenmahon
Angela Rayner also paid tribute, writing: “Rest in peace Deborah James. What an incredible, fierce, bright and brilliant woman. An absolutely extraordinary campaigner. Thank you for your rebellious hope and the millions you have inspired @bowelbabe. Thinking of your many loved ones.”
Lorraine Kelly said: “We will be celebrating the life of our friend and force of nature @bowelbabe on todays show. We all knew it was coming but somehow I thought Deborah would bounce back like she always did. What a legacy she leaves us. Sending so much love to her family and everyone who knew her.”
BBC presented Jon Kay added: “We all knew this day was coming – but it doesn’t make the news any easier to hear. We’ll reflect on the life and legacy of the wonderful @bowelbabe on #BBCBreakfast tomorrow morning. Love to Deborah’s friends and family.”
Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of the NHS, said: “On behalf of the whole NHS, I want to offer my condolences to the loved ones of Deborah James — her amazing attitude was humbling and a lesson to us all. Her fundraising has helped countless cancer patients and her determination to raise awareness will have saved many lives.”
The news of Deborah’s death was announced yesterday by her family, who said: “We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Dame Deborah James; the most amazing wife, daughter, sister, mummy. Deborah passed away peacefully today, surrounded by her family.
“Deborah, who many of you will know as Bowelbabe, was an inspiration and we are incredibly proud of her and her work and commitment to charitable campaigning, fundraising and her endless efforts to raise awareness of cancer that touched so many lives.
“Deborah shared her experience with the world to raise awareness, break down barriers, challenge taboos and change the conversation around cancer. Even in her most challenging moments, her determination to raise money and awareness was inspiring.
“We thank you for giving us time in private as a family, and we look forward to continuing Deborah’s legacy long into the future through the @bowelbabefund
“Thank you for playing your part in her journey, you are all incredible.
“And a few final things from Deborah…“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.” x”
Featured image: Instagram, @bowelbabe
News
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025
Emily Sergeant
Rochdale has officially been named Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025.
Taking over the reins from Bolton – which held the title in 2024 – and following in the footsteps of Stockport before that, which held the title in 2023, and even hosted a massive ‘Town of Culture Weekender’ festival with 50+ free events to celebrate and bring its title year to a close, it’s now the turn of the north-eastern Greater Manchester borough of Rochdale.
Rochdale’s year will build on the town’s already-rich cultural history and international reputation as the home of the co-operative movement.
More than 35 arts organisations will be bringing together an ambitious programme of festivals, exhibitions, events, and performances throughout the year.
Unfamiliar with what the ‘Greater Manchester Town of Culture’ title is all about? It’s an accolade that’s handed out every year to different boroughs across the region.
Bury was the inaugural title-holder 2020 and held onto it in 2021 too due to the COVID pandemic, before being followed by Stalybridge in 2022, Stockport in 2023, and of course, Bolton in the year just gone.
The title celebrates Greater Manchester’s culture and heritage.
As well as getting a new title to shout about, it also sees the towns given a grant from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) culture fund to help develop a programme of cultural events and activities throughout the year.
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025 / Credit: The Manc Group | Rochdale Council
In Rochdale’s case, you can expect the ‘very best local talent’, as this year is promising to put ‘people power’ centre stage, with residents helping to plan, develop, and deliver a lineup of creative activities, alongside a number of major events.
This includes the popular free days out for families, an exciting new urban arts festival, two different food and drink festivals, a lantern parade, the Ignite Fire Festival, a Pride parade, and so much more.
You can also expect live music performances, a new people’s gallery, and even some major international collaborations that are yet to be announced.
Rochdale is taking over the reins from Bolton, which held the title in 2024 / Credit: Rochdale Council
“Rochdale is a place with a rich cultural history, so it is great to name it Greater Manchester’s town of culture as it’s town hall and town centre enter a new era,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as the borough was crowned this week.
“Rochdale submitted a fantastic bid for this which, was incredibly exciting and ambitious, while being firmly rooted in its local talent and deep history.
“We are definitely going to see the very best of what Rochdale has to offer over the next 12 months and people will come from far and wide to see it.”
Featured Image – Rochdale Council
News
The Lowry Theatre undergoes revamp following Biffa Award grant
Danny Jones
The Lowry in Salford Quays has had a bit of TLC with one of its biggest theatre spaces undergoing a pretty significant refurb this past month.
Following a well-deserved grant distributed via the Biffa Award, a multi-million-pound fund that helps to build communities and transform lives through community and environmental projects across the UK, the legendary local theatre received nearly £75k last year.
As a result, all 440 seats and various other aspects of The Lowry‘s Quays Theatre have now been renovated and refurbished.
The short story is, she looks more gorgeous than ever – see for yourself:
Being initially handed over in March 2024, The Lowry was awarded a total of £74,816 to reupholster seating in the venue’s Quays Theatre with new padding and fabric.
After almost 25 years of constant use as one of the most popular theatres in the North, the seats in the Quays Theatre were much in need of a refurb, and with work completed in December, Lowry visitors can now enjoy watching the venue’s wide range of theatre, dance, comedy and drama in comfort.
The work was actually carried out between July and December, with seats being carefully removed in batches and reupholstered off-site.
This was made possible due to the Biffa Award’s most recent ‘Cultural Facilities’ theme, which aims to improve recreation, interest and education, drawing funds from the UK government’s wider Landfill Communities Fund.
The old fabric and padding were disposed of sustainably, with lots of it being repurposed where possible to minimise waste and all the new materials used meet current guidance for safety and quality.
The Lowry’s Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Development, Gwen Oakden, said of the long overdue update:“It is so important that our audiences are able to enjoy our world-class performing arts programme in a comfortable and welcoming space.
“For many visitors to the Quays Theatre, this is their first experience of live performance – often to see a family show or as part of a school trip. We really want it to be the best experience possible, and for them to begin a lifelong relationship with Lowry.
“As a registered charity, without the generous support of this Biffa Award, for which we’re hugely grateful, we couldn’t have carried out this important work for our audiences.
As we head into our 25th Anniversary year, we are delighted to be able to welcome audiences and visitors can enjoy the beautiful and revived Quays Theatre.”
As for the Biffa side of things, Grants Manager Rachel Maidment added: “We are delighted to have supported The Lowry in refurbishing the Quays Theatre seating, ensuring audiences can continue to enjoy performances in comfort.
“Through Biffa’s Cultural Facilities theme, we fund projects that provide engaging and inspiring spaces for communities. The Lowry is a key cultural venue, and we’re proud that our funding, made possible through the government Fund, has helped enhance the experience for visitors for years to come.”
Like most Mancs, we love The Lowry, so here’s to hosting countless more theatregoers in the most comfortable seats possible for generations to come.
We’ve been to some brilliant performances around here of late.
Daisy Jackson -
29th June 2022 
