LORRAINE Kelly fought back tears as she drunk prosecco in tribute to the late Dame Deborah James.
The ITV presenter welled up over her friend’s death, as she admitted “I’ve not processed it yet” .
Lorraine told viewers: “Dame Deborah James’s parents have raised a glass in honour of their inspirational daughter.
“They’re calling on pals of Deborah to do the same – everyone who loved her, everyone who admired her. We can all do this.
“It’s a new trend that started on Instagram following her death earlier on this week of course, which I still haven’t processed to be honest.”
Lorraine broke off as emotion overwhelmed her before bravely carrying on and raising a glass of prosecco to Deborah.
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She added: “Shall we do this for Deborah? Cheers. We shall do that for our Deborah.”
The morning after Deborah’s death, Lorraine broke down in tears on her show after playing a special tribute to the the 40-year-old star.
Lorraine had tears in her eyes after the film had finished playing.
As she introduced her next guest, Lorraine’s voice broke and she started to cry.
She told viewers: “I’m sorry, just saying that. It sort of hits you, it does.”
Lorraine added: “We knew this was going to happen, but it still doesn’t feel quite real.”
Mum-of-two Deborah, known as BowelBabe to her legions of Instagram fans, was diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer just days before Christmas in 2016, at the age of 35.
Despite being told she had an eight per cent chance of living five years, Deborah defied the odds stacked against her.
After celebrating her 40th birthday last October – a birthday she never dreamed she would live to see – the brave campaigner marked the five-year milestone a few months later.
In the five-and-a-half years since her diagnosis Deborah changed the conversation around bowel cancer, raising vital awareness and breaking down taboos.
After learning last month she would receive end-of-life hospice care, she began fundraising in earnest – with the total now topping an astonishing £6.7million.
Her legions of fans around the country learned of her death in an Instagram post shared from her account last night.
It reads: “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.
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“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.”
