'I hope the law can change as soon as possible so that everybody has the choice'

Grateful Esther’s plea for assisted dying bill

- BY HANNA GEISSLER Health Editor

DAME Esther Rantzen has issued a heartfelt “thank you” to supporters of assisted dying and said she hopes “the law can change as soon as possible so that everybody has the choice”.

The broadcaster, 85, recorded a conversation with her daughter, Rebecca Wilcox, 45, to mark the anniversary of the Commons vote which saw MPs back the principle for the first time.

Reflecting on her own health journey, she said she had been wrong to assume her lung cancer would kill her sooner. And she reiterated her wish to go to Dignitas, if necessary, when life becomes “unbearable”.

Asked why the campaign for assisted dying had become so important, Dame Esther told Rebecca: