Deborah James explains decision to die at parents' home

Deborah James explains decision to die at parents' home
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Aden-Jay Wood

By Aden-Jay Wood


Published: 11/05/2022

- 23:06

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 11:28

Earlier this week, she told followers she did not know “how long I’ve got left”

Podcaster Deborah James has explained her decision to die at her parent's home instead of her family home in London.

Earlier this week, she told followers she does not know “how long I’ve got left” after being moved to a hospice at a home care to treat her terminal bowel cancer.


The popular presenter of the BBC podcast You, Me And The Big C said the last six months have been “heartbreaking” to go through, but that she has been surrounded by “so much love” and has “no regrets”.

James was diagnosed with the condition in 2016.

Deborah James has moved to her parents
Deborah James has moved to her parents
Instagram/DeborahJames

Deborah James
Deborah James
Instagram/DeborahJames

And speaking on her final You, Me and The Big C episode, she explained her decision to move to her parents.

She said: "As much as I love London, I can’t even get up the steps to pee.

"It’s not practical. My parents live in a bungalow, I can see greenery and the whole family can come here. It’s where I’ve always wanted to die, weirdly.

"I’ve kind of always had that on my mind.

"I think I always knew I didn’t want to be at my London home. It doesn’t feel right, to me.

"Does that make sense? There is nothing that I can describe that feels relaxing in that capacity.

"Don’t get me wrong it’s a lovely place, but I also think it’s not right for me, but it means the kids can go back there…they don’t have those medical equipment scars based everywhere.

"It can continue to be their home without those memories, which might possibly be a good thing."

Her comments come after she posted on Monday, saying: “The message I never wanted to write. We have tried everything, but my body simply isn’t playing ball.

“My active care has stopped and I am now moved to hospice at home care, with my incredible family all around me and the focus is on making sure I’m not in pain and spending time with them.

“Nobody knows how long I’ve got left but I’m not able to walk, I’m sleeping most of the days, and most things I took for granted are pipe dreams.”

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