Dame Deborah James has rose named after her at 2022 Chelsea Flower Show that will raise money for charity

Dame Deborah James has had a rose named after her that will go on show at Chelsea Flower Show next week.

Proudly podcaster James posed with the blooming rose that will help to raise money for her Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK.

The Harkness Rose Company will be introducing the Dame Deborah James Rose on their stand at the Chelsea Flower Show.

The rose will also be incorporated into the company’s new Community Gardening Scheme which aims to get more vulnerable groups and people from underrepresented backgrounds involved in gardening.

Harkness have pledged to give away 1,000 Dame Deborah James Roses to Community Gardens across the UK this Autumn time.

Bowel cancer awareness champion James, also known as Bowel Babe, has stage 4 bowel cancer.

The BBC podcast host was first diagnosed in 2016. Since then, she has kept fans updated over the years with candid insights into her condition and treatment.

Earlier this month she announced that she was stopping active treatment and entering hospice-at-home care.

Already she has raised more than six million for charity to aid cancer research.

The 40-year-old voiced her delight when presented with a bouquet of the stunning blooms.

She said: “What a stunning rose to be named after me. Roses are my favourite flowers and I hope this one will brighten the smiles for all”.

Philip Harkness, Chairman of The Harkness Rose Company, added, “Dame Deborah has been inspirational in her tireless efforts to raise awareness of bowel cancer. I am honoured to be introducing this rose for her and I am sure it will be a favourite in the nation’s gardens.

“I am proud that we can launch this rose in aid of the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK, and the charity donation from every rose sold will help ensure Deborah’s legacy lives on.”

Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK will receive £2.50 from the sale of each Dame Deborah James Rose.

The new rose will be offered for pre-order via worldofroses.com and will be available as bare root only for delivery in autumn 2022.