Deborah James “shines so much light,” says friend and podcast host Lauren Mahon

Cancer activist and podcast host Lauren Mahon has said her friend Dame Deborah James still “shines such a big light” despite being treated for colon cancer at the end of her life.

ahon, 37, and dame deborah, 40, started the podcast You Me And The Big C with Rachel Bland in 2018. The trio, all former or current cancer patients, openly discussed living with, treating and other issues related to cancer.

Mahon, who has been cancer-free for five years, told Good Morning Britain she was “heartbroken” that her friend is being treated for end-of-life breast cancer three and a half years after her host Bland died.

She said: “I am heartbroken. We are all. Anyone who loves Deb or is close to Deb is someone who has never met her.

“But what this week has done has given us just pure joy to hold on to and only Deb could do that in the darkest of times, shine such a big light. We are all so proud.”

Dame Deborah, known online as Bowel Babe, was honored with a lady’s dignity on Friday after the Duke of Cambridge visited her family home.

She was honored for her “tireless campaign” to raise awareness of bowel cancer after raising more than £6million through her online fundraiser for cancer charities.

After setting her original goal of £250,000, Dame Deborah has so far achieved more than 24 times her target.

Speaking about her friend becoming a lady, Mahon said: “It’s nothing less than she deserves.

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“We’re just so happy that she’s able to embrace all of this and see what she’s made a difference.

“One thing we now know for sure is that Deb knows how much she is loved and what more could you want for her?”

Mahon joked with hosts Susanne Reid and Richard Madeley, saying: “I know it was a very, very special and surreal day for them. I don’t think she’ll believe it, she’ll probably think it was a lucid dream she was having.

“Of course there were kings in Deborah James’ childhood home!”

Speaking directly to her friend, after Mahon explained that Dame Deborah was watching the ITV breakfast show, she said: “I’m not going to cringe at Deb because I know you hate that, but on national TV I’m going to tell you that I love.” you very much and that we couldn’t be prouder of you.

“And just be proud of yourself and know what you do for so many people because we love you.”

Good Morning Britain airs every weekday at 6am on ITV.