DAME ESTHER RANTZEN TOO ILL TO TRAVEL FOR ASSISTED DYING

Dame Esther Rantzen has said she is too physically fragile to travel to Switzerland to end her life at an assisted dying clinic, despite having joined Dignitas and made plans to do so. The Childline founder, who is terminally ill with cancer, first revealed her membership of the organisation in December 2023. She has now stated that she cannot make the journey, having spent money and completed arrangements for the procedure.

Rantzen expressed concern about the impact of her condition on those close to her, noting that loved ones either cannot visit her or witness her suffering pain or indignity when they do. She renewed her call for Parliament to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales, urging MPs to vote in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill when it returns for Second Reading debate on Friday. The Bill passed two votes in the Commons in 2024 and 2025 but ran out of time in the House of Lords in April and has been reintroduced by Labour MP Lauren Edwards.

Rantzen stated that the law must "change and change quickly" to allow her to request help now that she is dying. If the Bill passes Second Reading, it will continue through Parliament for further consideration by MPs and peers. Supporters have suggested the Parliament Act, which allows Bills backed by the Commons in two successive sessions but rejected by peers to pass into law without Lords approval, could be used to advance the legislation.