Dame Esther Rantzen has said choosing an assisted death will put her family in a "difficult position".
The TV veteran is considering ending her life at the Swiss clinic Dignitas as she battles stage four lung cancer. She has said she wants to spare her family and friends the agony of seeing a painful death. The former That's Life host admitted it has been “very unexpected” that she has made it to the Christmas period after fearing she wouldn't make her birthday back in June.
The 83-year-old has since opened up on how she is considering an assisted death. Dame Esther said: "I have joined Dignitas. I thought, well, if the next scan says nothing’s working I might buzz off to Zurich but it puts my family and friends in a difficult position as they would want to go with me.
Dame Esther is considering assisted dying (PA)
The broadcaster is fearful for her friends and family if they support her decision (Dave Benett/Getty Images)"The police might prosecute them," she said on the The Today Podcast. "My family say it’s my choice. I explained to them that I don’t want their last memories of me to be painful. If you watch someone you love having a bad death, that memory obliterates all the happy times."
Assisted suicide is banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland under the terms of the Suicide Act (1961), with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. According to Dignity in Dying, those who go with their loved one to Dignitas in Switzerland and are present during the process face the risk of prosecution and up to 14 years in prison when they return to the UK.
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It has been reported nearly 350 Britons have chosen Dignitas, with someone travelling there every eight days. Assisted dying opponents believe it may lead to people ending their lives out of fear of becoming a burden on family.
Should assisted dying be legalised in the UK? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
When asked what she would do if she was the Prime Minister, Dame Esther replied: "I would get a free vote on assisted dying. It’s important the law catches up with what the country wants."
Earlier this year Dame Esther spoke to The Mirror where she reflected on her six-decade career. She said: "My diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer made me realise how very lucky I’ve been in my life, working with Childline and the Silver Line, and meeting so many fascinating and inspiring people, and especially lucky to have spent 21 years working as producer/presenter of That’s Life!
"I'm not good at regrets. What I treasure most are the fantastic friendships I have made thanks to That’s Life! during the last 50 years, the people I met, and the team who worked so hard, and laughed so hard, together for so long."
She has said Christmas will be "so precious" as she didn't think she would make it. She added: "I’ve got to drop off my perch for some reason, and I’m 83, so I should be grateful and I am. Anything can happen, I live in a forest, a tree can fall on me. I’ve got to drop off my perch for some reason, and I’m 83 damn it, so I should be jolly grateful and indeed am.”
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