Dame Deborah James' husband finds love again three years after her death

Daily Record

8 hours ago

Campaigner Dame Deborah James died three years ago from bowel cancer.
Dame Deborah James's widower, Sebastien Bowen, has been reported to be 'very much in love' as he is said to have found love again three years on from the campaiger's death. Dame Deborah tragically passed away in June 2022 after a battle with bowel cancer.
Prior to her death, the podcaster was said to have encouraged her husband to 'move on' after her passing. Now three years later, it has been claimed that Sebastien has once again found love as he was seen with a mystery woman enjoying a date during the UK heatwave.
Only at the age of 40 at the time of her death, Deborah had been battling an incurable form of bowel cancer and was very outspoken about her journey. While she raised millions for cancer research, she also did not hide the fact that she wanted her husband to move on when she was gone, reports the Mirror.
Sebestien was reportedly seen last week to be walking along the River Thames in London hand in hand with a mystery woman. The couple was said to have dined at The River Cafe in Hammersmith, west London, as part of their day out.
Seen to be wearing a casual blue shirt, a pair of chinos and trainers, Sebestien was certainly dressed to beat the heat as temperatures soared across the country. His new brunette partner was said to be wearing a striking red dress, perfect for the summer weather.
A source told the Daily Mail: "They looked like they were very much in love." They also said the pair was seen to be gazing lovingly at each other as they walked with their arms wrapped around one another.
They added: "It was very sweet. For anyone who was inspired by Dame Deborah's attitude to life, it was really heartening to see her husband looking happy again."
It was reported last year that Sebestien had started to look for love again, but he was taking things "very slowly". An insider said: "Deborah is going to be a tough act to follow, as they had a fantastic marriage and made a great couple. But Seb feels the time has come for him to move on, as Deborah wanted him to."
Known by millions on social media as Bowelbabe, Dame Deborah documented her cancer journey online and managed to raise over £11million for cancer research.
As she was upfront and honest about her battle with the incurable disease, it was no surprise she gave the same honesty about wanting her husband to move on.
Talking on the BBC Radio 5 Live show You, Me and The Big C, she described her husband as a "very eligible bachelor" and said she was aware that he would get attention from other women after her passing.
She said: "I have given him strict instructions. I want him to move on. He's a handsome man, I'm like, 'Don't be taken for a ride, don't marry a bimbo, find someone else who can make you laugh like we did."
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However, while she was encouraging of her widower finding a new love, she also joked that she had a list of people she didn't want him to go on and date. If he did, she joked: "I would do my damned hardest to haunt him."
Dame Deborah and Sebestien met in 2005 and went to get married three years later and have two kids.
While it is tough for any family to lose a loved one, it seems that Sebestien has been blessed by both his wife and her family to move on.
In 2023, Deborah's mum Heather said: "Deborah will be a hard act to follow but he has our blessing."