Deborah James is running the Vitality London 10k to prove she is not dead yet

BBC presenter Deborah James, aka the Bowel Babe, has revealed that she won't stop running despite having stage 4 bowel cancer - because it proves she's "not dead yet." 

The 37-year-old, from London, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2016 and has undergone countless rounds of gruelling treatment and operations, says she even got out her running shoes just before an operation despite being "nil by mouth" and gagging for water to "feel alive." 

Stripping down to her underwear as part of a new campaign to encourage others to get active and raise money for charity, the deputy head, who's taking part in the Vitality London 10k on May 27th, says she hopes others will see "If I can do it, so can they."  

She told her 61,000 followers: "I run (when my dodgy ankle allows!) because it makes me feel alive. 

"I have even run to have an operation (it’s the whole “not dead yet mentality!”), although that was a bit silly when you are nil by mouth and gagging for water!' James wrote on Instagram.

She added, "You know I have really rubbish days when I don’t want to do anything, but in the days I feel well I try to get my trainers on and do what my body allows me to do - then I push it a bit more and hope I don’t break my ankle again! If I can do it when I have stage four cancer, then anyone can do it!'

posted Thursday April 11th