'I'd like last meal of champagne and caviar'

Esther reveals wish to die surrounded by loved ones at Dignitas

- Giles Sheldrick

DYING Dame Esther Rantzen has said she wants her final meal to be caviar and champagne - even though she is allergic to fizz.

The 83-year-old campaigner, who is fighting to overturn a ban on assisted dying, insists she will end her life at Dignitas rounded by her loved ones.

Dame Esther, who has stage four lung cancer, has signed up to the Swiss suicide clinic because "cruel and outdated" laws make ending her life here illegal.

Asked how she will prepare herself she said: "I'd like to fly off to Zurich with my nearest and dearest [and] have a fantastic dinner the night before.

"I would love caviar, if possible, and the fact that it doesn't always agree with me, doesn't matter does it? I could even have champagne, which I'm deeply allergic to.