ESTHER'S THANKS: 'YOU'VE GIVEN ME STRENGTH WHEN I NEEDED IT MOST

A DEEPLY moved Esther Rantzen responded to an outpouring of love from Daily Express readers, saying it gives her "strength when I need it most".

- Giles Sheldrick

The TV legend, who has stage four lung cancer, is battling to legalise assisted dying and backs our crusade to bring about a law change.

Heartfelt messages of support flooded in as our readers wished Christmas.

Lifelong campaigner Dame Esther, 83, is using her plight to highlight - and end - a legal injustice that stops terminally ill people having control over their death.

In a sincere message on the eve of a Christmas she thought she might not live to see, she said: "I am so grateful to the readers of the Express for their wonderful support. I wish them much happiness over Christmas and let's hope 2024 is a good year for all of us.

"Thank you so much for your kindness, you have given me strength when I need it most." Since revealing that she had signed up to Swiss assisted suicide clinic Dignitas, the former That's Life! presenter has been inundated with touching and deeply personal testimonies from people.

Many are writing in detailing their own experiences of similar heartbreaking situations.

Dame Esther is calling for a full Parliamentary debate on legalising assisted dying, culminating in a free vote that lets MPs act according to their consciences rather than sticking to any party lines.