Dame Deborah James' son, 14, helps carry coffin at funeral as family lead church procession
20.07.2022 - 17:57
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
Dame Deborah James' funeral took place today in London as her closest family and friends paid their respects to the beloved star.
At the service, Deborah's heartbroken son Hugo, 14, carried in his mother's wicket casket to St Mary's church in Barnes as the family finally lay her to rest. The cancer campaigner, known online as BowelBabe, tragically died aged 40 on June 28, after a brave five-year battle with bowel cancer.
Deborah's devastated husband Sebastien led the procession alongside their two children Hugo and Eloise, 12, as the Rolls Royce made its way to the chapel. Before her passing, Deborah, who raised £7.4million for charity in her final weeks, expressed hope that her children would be able to read poems to those in attendance, writes the Mirror.
At just after 1pm, Deborah’s son, Hugo, joined his father and two other family members to carry his mother’s coffin into St Mary's. His teenage, floppy haired head bent, he only wobbled a little, his feet finding their footing for a moment, before he led the way inside the church to say a final goodbye.
During the service, Hugo and his sister Eloise, 12, each read out a poem following their mother's wishes. Hugo read a poem he had written himself while his sister Eloise also delivered a piece. Deborah's husband Sebastien delivered a eulogy.
Meanwhile a friend of the family's Natalie Rushdie, sung a rendition of Tell Me It’s Not True by the Blood Brothers following Dame Deborah's wishes. The family then exited the church in silence and bowed their heads before leaving. Meanwhile, Dame Deborah’s coffin was driven away from the church.
Lorraine Kelly was among the early arrivals, having worked closely with the vibrant star to raise awareness for bowel cancer on her daytime