Lorraine Kelly says Dame Deborah James is missed every day

Lorraine Kelly paid tribute to her co-star after their tragic death, saying, “We miss her every day”.

During Thursday’s (October 9) edition of her hit ITV programme, Lorraine spoke to Dr Hilary Jones about gut health, with the medical practitioner sharing how sweetcorn can test the digestive system.

While speaking about maintaining a healthy gut, Lorraine took a moment to mention her former co-star Dame Deborah James, who passed away in 2022 after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.

“On this show, you know Dame Deborah, who we miss every single day, she was always going on about [gut health]. She was always going on about, ‘Don’t be daft about this. Everyone does it, nobody cares,'” Lorraine said.

“We shouldn’t be embarrassed about talking about our guts,” Dr Hilary added.

Lorraine Kelly

Lorraine Kelly paid tribute to Dame Deborah James on Thursday (Image: ITV)

“And actually, it’s a really good indicator of how you’re doing generally,” Lorraine added.

Dr Hilary then said: “It is, and it’s important to eat plenty of fibre. Get the healthy foods for antioxidants, for nutrients. Most of us eat about 18 grams of fibre, it should be about 30 grams every day.

“So, we need to increase the amount of plant produce that we enjoy. Going onto immunity, 80 percent of our immunity is seated in our gut, and not many people know that.”

The star went on to explain the difference between healthy bacteria and the “bad” bacteria that causes illnesses, while encouraging viewers to eat a balanced diet in order to maintain a healthy gut.

“We’ve always talked about having your five a day, which is all very well, but they shouldn’t be the same five every day,” he concluded.

Dame Deborah James

Deborah passed away in 2022 (Image: Graham Prentice)

Dame Deborah, known to millions as Bowelbabe, died in June 2022 at the age of 40 following a five-year battle with stage four bowel cancer.

She raised more than £11 million for cancer research and helped to destigmatise open conversations about the illness through her BBC podcast, You, Me and the Big C.

Lorraine worked closely with the star on the No Butts campaign, a bowel cancer awareness initiative that was first spearheaded by Dame Deborah in 2021.

Taking to Instagram shortly after attending Dame Deborah’s funeral, Lorraine said: “I miss you – you fabulous, funny, passionate force of nature.”