Lucy Devine
Dame Deborah James says she's defied odds as she attended Royal Ascot on Wednesday, 15 June, explaining she 'didn't expect to make it' to the Berkshire event.
Deborah, 40, looked amazing as she attended the event with her brother Benjamin James and his new fiancé Ashley Hall.
Speaking about the day, Deborah told The Sun: “It was very impromptu, but it was such a lovely day.
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“I tend to go to Ascot every year with my girlfriends, so to get to go this year feels really special. I didn’t expect to make it. Given the fact I’m lucky to still be here, I thought I’d have a bet. What have I got to lose?
“I won three out of the four races I bet on, I made my money back and maybe covered the petrol home. It looks like my lucky streak continues.”
Speaking about meeting Prince William – who presented her with her damehood at her parents' home last month – Deborah joked: “Sadly I didn’t get to see any of my new Royal pals at Ascot. I was lucky enough that the team organising it all made sure I had a calm and sheltered area to enjoy it all.
“It was lovely to see a few familiar faces, and friends too. I treated myself to a strong margarita too.”
Last month, Deborah – who was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 – told friends and followers that she had moved to hospice at home care, explaining she will no longer be pursuing active care for cancer.
Since then, Deborah – mum to Hugo, 14 and Eloise, 12 – has been awarded a damehood and launched a fundraiser that has so far raised a staggering £6.7 million.
Money from the fundraiser will go towards Cancer Research UK, the Royal Marsden and Bowel Cancer UK.
After being moved to hospice at home care, Deborah has been living at her parents' home in Woking. From there, Deborah has launched her own In The Style collection, and has even managed to enjoy some days out recently, to Glyndebourne opera house and out for dinner with husband Sebastien Bowen.
Deborah has even written a second book, How to Live When You Could Be Dead, which is out in August but available for pre-order now.
For more information and advice on bowel cancer, visit Bowel Cancer UK.
You can donate to the Bowel Babe fund here.