Dame Esther Rantzen's daughter shares heartbreaking fear about mum's death
Dame Esther Rantzen has become a campaigner for assisted dying since she was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.
Esther Rantzen 'doesn't have enough time' says her daughter
Dame Esther Rantzen's daughter has opened up about her fears surrounding her mother's death. Rebecca Wilcox has been a vocal supporter of the legendary broadcaster's campaign to having assisted dying legalised.
Dame Esther revealed in December last year that she had registered with the Swiss assisted dying clinic Dignitas after being diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. Since them she has been at the forefront of the campain to allow terminally ill people to die with dignity.
"The thought of her actually dying is abominable, but the thought of her dying in pain is unthinkable. Her health is not great and her illness has no cure.
"The prognosis may lead to a painful death that might not be eased with palliative care and opioid painkillers," Rebecca wrote in a heartfelt article for Saga magazine.
However Rebecca is faced with a heartbreaking dilemma as, the way the law currently stands, should Esther decide to travel to Dignitas at the moment she would have to go alone. Were Rebecca to accompany her, she would face prosecution for manslaughter and could receive up to 14 years in prison.
READ MORE: Cat Deeley gives Ben Shephard warning after rare marriage insight [LATEST]
"Even if it doesn't go to trial, many people face a two-year investigation. I have a young family with two children, a busy home and a complex job," she said.
"I shouldn't have to risk going to prison just to keep mum company, but I'm not sure I could let her go alone."
Daily Express are running a petition to hold a parlimentary vote on assisted dying in a bid to reform the "cruel" laws which punish those helping someone die with a potential jail sentence. It has amassed over 210,000 votes so far.
Rebecca has already watched her beloved father Desmond Wilcox die of heart disease in September 2000.
Don't miss...
Homes Under The Hammer Tommy Walsh's eight-word fear about 'dangerous' home [WATCH]
Casualty’s Nicole star details ‘massive decision’ after life changing diagnosis [EXCLUSIVE]
Neighbours Harold Bishop star admits feeling ‘stranded’ after retiring from show [EXCLUSIVE]
Speaking of his death she said: “When my father died, all we thought about for years were those last seconds.
"Those last moments when there were tubes, there was blood, there was beeping, there were nurses, they were doctors, there was a lot of crying and that's all I could remember of my father for so long.”
Assisted dying is banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and huge numbers, including Dame Esther, have joined Dignitas.
Some 2,000 Brits are now fully paid-up members of the organisation, a rise of 25% in a year.
Esther admitted she signed up because of the repercussions her children, Rebecca, GP son Joshua and Miriam, would face if they travelled to Zurich with her on her final journey.assis