Charity single released in honour of Dame Deborah James

It’s been a year since ‘Tell Me It’s Not True’ was sung at Dame Deborah James’ funeral by her friend and singer Natalie Rushdie.

To honour the request of Deborah’s family, Natalie is releasing the iconic Blood Brothers musical track, recorded at Abbey Road Studios, on Monday 3rd July 2023. 100% of the proceeds from this heartfelt and poignant track will go to the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK.

Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK:

“This song is a beautiful tribute to Deborah. She touched so many lives and her inspiring legacy lives on through the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK. The money raised will help support projects Deborah felt passionately about and make a real difference in bringing hope for a better future for people affected by cancer.”

Dame Deborah became dear to the nation’s hearts after she was diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer in 2016 at the age of just 35. Earning love and respect through social media and her blog BowelBabe, her Things Cancer Made Me Say column with The Sun and later the airwaves of the BBC Radio 5 Live podcast, You, Me and the Big C, Deborah passed away on the 28th of June 2022 at 40 years old. In the years following her diagnosis, Deborah did all she could to raise awareness of bowel cancer and fundraise for vital research. She became the nation’s sweetheart, known fondly by her ‘Rebellious Hope’ mantra.

Sang at her funeral last year, ‘Tell Me It’s Not True’ holds special value to everyone who knows Deborah’s story, in particular those closest to her. A year on, Natalie re-sang, and recorded the song in the iconic Studio 2 of Abbey Road Studios with the accompaniment of 25 musicians.

Natalie Rushdie:

“The last time I saw Deborah, about a week before she died, she asked me to sing Tell Me It’s Not True at her funeral. It was one of the hardest and most emotional performances I’ve ever had to do. I miss her voice, her vibrancy for life, her dancing, her constant support and our friendship but I know somewhere she will be dancing to her song. I am honoured to sing and record this beautiful track in Deborah’s name and I hope the public get behind us to support this wonderful project.”

Dame Deborah was a regular on ITV’s Lorraine Kelly show discussing her fight for life.

Heather and Alistair James, Deborah’s parents:

“Deborah, we know would be delighted and honoured that Tell Me It’s Not True has now been recorded to support the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK. She would be smiling knowing it was being recorded at the iconic Studio 2 at Abbey Road. It is wonderful to give so many people the opportunity to hear this song which was so special to Deborah. On Deborah’s behalf, we would personally like to thank all the musicians, production staff, photographers and film makers who gave freely of their time to make this happen.”

The world-renowned producer, Haydn Bendall who has worked with the likes of Kate Bush, Tina Turner, and The Pet Shop Boys produced the track, while Willy Russell who wrote the original score for Blood Brothers, where ‘Tell Me It’s Not True’ originates, is in full support of this recording. Natalie and Deborah met seven years ago, becoming great friends and respecting each other’s zest for life – the two became even closer after both surviving Sepsis.

Natalie a well-established jazz singer having performed sold-out shows at the Royal Albert Hall, London Coliseum and St Paul’s Cathedral was honoured when her dear friend asked her to sing at the funeral. A year later, Deborah’s parents Heather and Alistair asked Natalie to officially record the song in their daughter’s memory. The project has brilliantly snowballed to become a beautiful homage to Deborah’s ‘Rebellious Hope’ legacy.

Proceeds from the charity single will be donated directly to the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK, including the publishing and writing royalties. The Fund supports cutting-edge research into early detection and personalised medicine, raises awareness of signs and symptoms, and tackles the stigmas around cancer. To date the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK has raised over £11.3 million.

Sebastien Bowen, Deborah’s husband:

“It’s so touching to have Natalie pay tribute to Deborah, by immortalising this song which meant so much to her. She performed it beautifully at Deborah’s funeral, and this production is simply breathtaking. I have known Zafar [Natalie’s husband] for over 25 years, and it was through this close friendship that Deborah and I got to know Natalie. The family is so grateful to Natalie and everyone who has supported and taken part in this recording – thank you.”

‘Tell Me It’s Not True’ by Natalie Rushdie will be available on Monday 3rd July 2023 from all major streaming and download  platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon Music, TikTok, Deezer, YouTube and more.