Deborah James says husband is her 'rock' as she leaves house for first time in 10 days

Deborah James has left the house for the first time since penning a moving goodbye message saying she had moved to hospice care.

The cancer campaigner told fans she had not left home in 10 days as she was “too weak” but that her husband Sebastien had whisked her off to RHS Garden Wisley.

James, who has bowel cancer, called her husband her “rock” and told her fans on Instagram that the early morning trip was a “bit of a mission but worth it”.

Read more: Lorraine pays tribute to cancer campaigner Deborah James who is in hospice care

The 40-year-old – who has raised millions for charity in the last few days and was made a Dame last week – also thanked her followers for all the support for her second book, which is due out in August.

Sharing a snap of her in a wheelchair at Wisley, she wrote: “Seb whisked me (bit of a mission but worth it!) at the crack of dawn to @rhswisley before all the crowds, to say well done for the book launch, and it was just perfect for a hour.

"I haven’t left the house in 10 days as have been too weak, and whilst I’m now going to snooze for most of the day (in the sun like a cat!) - I love this picture of reminding me of vibrant green life all around, despite the sadness of knowing the state of my body inside.

"But Seb is an utter rock for me and together we seem to be able to squeeze our hands, swallow the tears and laugh instead.”

James revealed last week that she had written another book, entitled How To Live When You Could Be Dead.

It was originally due to be released in 2023 but publication has been moved forward to August this year, and the book has already topped Amazon's bestseller chart.

“I’m blown away and utterly grateful by the response to the book pre-launch and the sheer numbers of you who have kindly ordered it," she wrote.

"Not only contributing the @bowelbabefund but also making it number one in the best sellers Amazon list. It’s always been my pipe dream to write a times best seller.

"My first book just missed out, so maybe just maybe I’ll never know about this one, but I’m sure I’ll be celebrating somewhere!!”

Mum-of-two James, one of the hosts of the You, Me & The Big C podcast, was diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer in 2016.

She has set up the Bowel Babe fund in her name, which will support Cancer Research UK, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), The Royal Marsden Hospital and promoting cancer awareness among younger people. It has raised over £6 million so far.

Watch: Dame Deborah James 'gutted' she won't be alive to see her second book published