Dame Deborah’s secret Chelsea trip to see rose named after her

... and look who else enjoyed the show

SHE has spoken of her pride at having a new rose named in her honour.

And now Dame Deborah James has visited the stall selling the beautiful bloom, which is breaking sales records, on a special out-of-hours tour of the Chelsea Flower Show.

The cancer campaigner, 40, and her husband Sebastien enjoyed a tour of the show gardens with TV presenter Sophie Raworth.

The trio raised a champagne toast in the Great Pavilion to the Dame Deborah James Rose, which is expected to sell out in days.

The Harkness Rose Company has 25,000 available on pre-order for delivery this autumn, and says 15,000 have already been taken.

For every £16.99 rose sold, £2.50 is donated to Dame Deborah’s Bowelbabe Fund to benefit Cancer Research UK, which has so far raised an incredible £6.5million.

Harkness’s Hannah Albone said of Dame Deborah’s visit: ‘She was here on Tuesday night with her husband. She came to our stand and had a look at the rose.

‘They got some champagne and we had a little toast. Then Sophie took us on a tour of all the show gardens. Dame Deborah did not stay too long but it was brilliant.’

She added: ‘Interest in the rose has been unbelievable. It is the fastest selling rose in our 140-year history. We feel very privileged.’

Dame Deborah is no longer having cancer treatment after five years battling the disease, and is now receiving end-of-life care at her parents’ home.

She told how she cried when the offer was made to have the rose named after her, and hopes her daughter Eloise, 12, may one day have it in her wedding bouquet.

She said: ‘I just can’t wait for my family to plant them everywhere this autumn. What breaks my

‘Interest in the rose is unbelievable’

heart and brings me the most beautiful thought, is that this variety can be grown for ever, and maybe one day even Eloise might choose to have it in her bouquet.’

Also visiting Chelsea was former health secretary Matt Hancock and his girlfriend Gina Coladangelo, displaying their budding affection in their first public appearance together yesterday.

Strolling hand in hand through the displays, Mr Hancock, 43, said he was taken by ‘the striking dominance of wildflowers and rewilding gardens’ at this year’s show.

He quit the Cabinet and split from his wife last year after pictures emerged of him embracing his then-aide Miss Coladangelo, 44, in his office during lockdown.