Importance Score: 85 / 100 🟢
Veteran broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen, currently facing a terminal illness, will be unable to make the journey to Dignitas for assisted dying, her daughter Rebecca Wilcox has revealed. Wilcox disclosed to 5 News that the option of Dignitas is no longer viable due to the health requirements. “Frankly Dignitas is out of the window for us,” she stated. “You have to be relatively healthy to do that. If she had gone, she would have gone months before she would have died here.” This news highlights the ongoing debate surrounding **assisted dying** and the choices available to individuals with **terminal illnesses** like **Dame Esther Rantzen**.
Dame Esther Rantzen’s Dignitas Plan Ruled Out Amidst Deteriorating Health
This revelation comes shortly after Labour MP Kim Leadbeater’s decision to postpone the proposed **assisted dying** Bill until 2029. Addressing this delay, Wilcox expressed her frustration: “I just wish that people understood that all the assisted dying Bill is, is a choice for people that want it. All it is is giving you peace of mind. I cannot tell you how powerful that would be right now for my mum.”
Daughter’s Plea for End-of-Life Choice
Wilcox passionately articulated the need for choice for individuals in her mother’s situation. “She is a person who has fought her whole life for other people, and she has no control now. Why can’t we give people like my mum with a terminal diagnosis, with no other choice, some choice as to when and how and where they die?” she questioned.
Legal Barriers and Growing Support for Assisted Dying Reform
Under current UK law, assisting a death remains illegal, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 14 years. Prominent figures, including Prue Leith from Bake Off and broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby, have joined growing calls for legal reforms in this area, according to reports.
Dame Esther Rantzen: A Career Dedicated to Public Service
Dame Esther’s distinguished career began as a sound effects assistant at BBC radio before she transitioned into a researcher role for various programmes. Her breakthrough came in 1973 when she became the presenter of the consumer affairs programme That’s Life!, establishing herself as a prominent and recognisable figure on British television for many years.
Founding Childline: A Legacy of Support for Young People
Furthermore, Dame Esther established the charity Childline in 1986. This organisation has since become a vital source of support for countless young people facing issues such as bullying and abuse, demonstrating her enduring commitment to public welfare.
Family Focuses on Cherishing Precious Moments
Despite the challenging circumstances, Dame Esther’s family remains committed to making the most of their time together. Rebecca Wilcox, 45, told Express.co.uk, “Every day is a big moment for us – it’s no longer our last Christmas, our last Mother’s Day or our last Easter. Every single day is precious.”
Living Each Day to the Full
“The most important thing is to see each other as often as possible because life is finite, we are all very aware of that, and to love each moment we have together,” Wilcox added, highlighting the family’s focus on togetherness and appreciating their time with Dame Esther.
Dame Esther’s Enduring Spirit
Wilcox shared an insightful family perspective on Dame Esther’s character: “My brother said living with mum is like living next to a volcano – you don’t know whether the flowing lava is going to be flowers and celebrations or explosion. She’s never done something to win our approval, it’s always because of what is right.” She further noted, “Her early adopting of campaigns is probably the most underrated skill she has. She has a strange zeitgeist, even at 84. She is always on the money and always gets it. She is the person I ring several times a day and see her several times a week. But hell hath no fury like Esther being told no.” This illustrates Dame Esther’s lifelong dedication to advocacy and her unwavering spirit.