Dame Deborah James' husband 'very much in love' three years after her death

Dame Deborah James' widower is said to have found love again, three years after the death of his wife. Prior to her sad death in June 2022, the podcast host and campaigner had encouraged Sebastien Bowen to "move on."

Now, it's claimed that he has found love with a mystery womanand was seen enjoying a loved-up date in the scorching weather as the UK experienced a heatwave, with temperatures hitting over 30 degrees. Deborah, who was just 40 at the time of her death from incurable bowel cancer, made it no secret that she wanted her husband to start dating again.

Sebastian was seen last week walking hand in hand with a mystery woman along the River Thames in London. The pair are said to have dined at The River Cafe in the swanky area of Hammersmith, west London, during their romantic day out.

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As the temperatures across the country reached new highs, Sebastian kept his look very casual in a blue shirt, with his top buttons undone, while rocking a pair of chino trousers and trainers. Meanwhile, his new love interest looked sensational in a striking red dress, which was cut off above the knee.

Her brunette hair flowed freely in the gentle waterfront breeze as she wore a pair of sunglasses to protect her eyes from the blistering sun. The pair were seen walking with their arms wrapped around one another while gazing lovingly at each other. "They looked like they were very much in love," a source told the Daily Mail.

They went on to add: "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."

Last year, it was reported that Sebastian had started looking for love again, with sources saying he was taking things "very slowly." An insider went on to say: "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."

Deborah, who was known to millions as Bowelbabe on social media, raised over £11million for cancer research and documented her journey with her online followers. The campaigner, who was known for her honesty while battling the heartbreaking disease, spoke openly about her husband moving on.

Speaking on the BBC Radio 5 Live show, You, Me And The Big C, she described her widower as a "very eligible bachelor" and knew he would have attention from other women following her death.

"I have given him strict instructions," Dame Deborah said. She went on to add: "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." But Dame Deborah also joked that she had a list of people she didn't want Sebastian to date.

"I would do my damned hardest to haunt him," she joked. Sebastian and Deborah met in 2005 before going on to marry three years later in 2008 and welcomed two children. And it appears that he has the blessing from her family when it comes to finding love again.

"Deborah will be a hard act to follow but he has our blessing," her mum Heather said in 2023.

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