DEBORAH James’ close pal has said only she could bring such joy in the face of such dark times.
Lauren Mahon, started working on the hugely popular You, Me and the Big C podcast with Deborah, 40, and the late Rachael Bland.
The beloved trio came together in 2018 to talk candidly about cancer, having all been diagnosed with the disease.
Last week Deborah, now a Dame, revealed she was stopping active care and planned to spend her final days at her parents.
Lauren told Good Morning Britain: “It is tough. I’m heartbroken, we are all, everyone who loves Deb is, people who have never met her are.
“But this week has given us pure joy to cling on to, only Deb could do that in the darkest of times.
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“What she has done in the last five years, let alone this week, is phenomenal.
“People know the mark she’s made and that will live on forever and I couldn’t ask for more.”
Dame Deborah, who has raised more than £6million in a week, posted about her pal’s appearance on GMB.
She said: “Thank you to Lauren Mahon who just smashed it out of the park on @gmb this morning and (almost!) got my tears going! Love you.”
Mum-of-two Deborah was made a Dame last week after calls led by Trending In The News saw a swift response from Downing Street and Buckingham Palace.
Investiture ceremonies usually take place only at royal palaces and take months to organise.
In an “unprecedented” move, the Duke cleared his diary to do the honours at a tea party at her parents’ home in Woking, Surrey, on Friday.
Mum Deborah, 40, on end-of-life care, told Trending In The News that Prince William is welcome to join her for tea and Champagne anytime after being awarded her honour in a moving ceremony.
Lauren said: “It’s nothing less than [Deb] deserves. We are so overwhelmed. One thing we know for certain is Debs knows how loved she is.
“I can imagine her parents cleaning every surface and putting everything away in cupboards.
“I know it was a very special and surreal day.
“This morning, when we spoke she said she just couldn’t get over the amount raised.”
