ESTHER'S TEARS OVER 'CRUEL LAW"

TV icon's emotional plea to make Commons debate on assisted dying a reality

- Giles Sheldrick

DAME Esther Rantzen made an impassioned plea for cruel assisted dying laws to be debated by MPs - after messages from people who have watched loved ones die in agony left her in tears.

The campaigner, 83, paid tribute to the tens of thousands who contacted her to offer their support and has thanked them for sharing their heartbreaking experiences.

Dame Esther, left, was inundated with harrowing stories, including from many Daily Express readers.

The grandmother of five, who was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer last January, is spearheading a push to reform "cruel" legislation which can punish those helping someone to die with a potential 14-year jail sentence.

A Daily Express petition launched with her backing that is demanding action on the issue has now topped 71,000 signatures in less than a fortnight.

When it hits 100,000 signatures MPs will be forced to debate it. Writing for this newspaper today, Dame Esther said: "I cannot express how deeply I have been moved by the letters I have received and the extraordinary response to our petition asking for Parliament to act to change the current cruel law.

"Many bring tears to my eyes. I have been incredibly inspired by the compassion and support I have received. Not only from those who share my view and describe their experience of losing someone they love memories which must cause them so much pain to share.

"But from others who just want to support me, like a man I've never met who lives in Zurich, and says that if I have to travel there alone he is prepared to meet me and take me to Dignitas.

"So thank you to the people in public life who have joined our campaign.

"And most of all, thank you to all the people, a miraculous 70,000-plus of you, who have signed the petition.