BBC’s You, Me and the Big C podcast host Deborah James walks for first time after ‘nearly dying’ amid cancer battle

BBC presenter Deborah James was overjoyed to be able to walk for the first time after ‘nearly dying’ last week as she continues to batle cancer.

The You, Me and the Big C podcast host was rushed to hospital earlier in January after an ‘acute medical emergency’.

Deborah was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in December 2016 and has had as many as 17 tumours.

In her latest Instagram post, the presenter is seen wearing a hospital gown and walking through the hallways unaided. At one point, she seemed to be in some discomfort and held her stomach but continued walking on as Whitney Houston’s song Step By Side played.

The broadcaster explained in the caption: ‘Today I walked – it’s the first time in 9 days I’ve been able to try. It’s never been so hard to muster the strength and conviction to do so. I’ve had 4 operations this week (with more to come), am beyond shattered with a very weak body. But somehow my body is still ploughing on. Sometimes all we can do is take things step by step.

‘The nurses and doctors are being incredible – I’ve cried on pretty much everyone that pops thier head around the door!

‘I’m making progress, it’s slow, but steady. I’m still being monitored very closely. No idea what the next plan is- it’s just taking things bit by bit. It’s hard when you just want a plan, but the plan is really to try to get me better, whatever pathway that takes.’

She concluded: ‘Thanks for all your wonderful messages. They have blown me away. I’m not in a position to respond but I very much appreciate the kindness.’

Deborah had earlier shared a photo of herself lying in a hospital bed while hooked up to drips and giving a thumbs up and a smile.

The columnist apologised for her absence and explained: ‘A week ago at this time in the evening I nearly died in what was an acute medical emergency.

‘I’m not ready to discuss what happened yet as the trauma of it all has been incredibly intense – but it’s thanks to an unbelievable team of NHS specialists who worked all through the night and the next day to save me. I cannot be more greatful [sic].’

Deborah said she is ‘still not out of danger’ and had many more procedures to face but was out of intensive care.

She then admitted: ‘In 5 years of having stage 4 Cancer – this has been the hardest, most heartbreaking and scariest of them all. I’d always prepared for my death, but I wasn’t prepared for something so blindsiding and traumatic to happen.

‘I can’t quite believe I’m here to write this. A week ago my whole family was praying I’d pull through the night. I’m getting a lot of help and support to come to terms with the trauma I’ve been through. My family have been incredible.

‘I don’t know how my husband held it together seeing me crash as an army of doctors stabilised me in resus.’

In October, Deborah was rushed to hospital after suffering from dehydration and with a high fever just days after celebrating a successful round of chemotherapy.

In January 2020, doctors declared Deborah cancer-free but later found the disease had returned and she would require surgery. That November, she had an operation on her 17th tumour.