17 June 2024 , 13:05
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Rebecca Wilcox has bravely spoken out about the heart-wrenching possibility of facing prosecution for accompanying her mother, Dame Esther Rantzen, to an assisted dying clinic in Switzerland.
In a poignant revelation last December, Dame Esther, 83, who is battling stage four lung cancer, shared her contemplation of ending her life at Dignitas, given that assisted death remains illegal in the UK.
Ever since, she's been a vocal advocate for changing the law, with her petition on the issue amassing more than 100,000 signatures, enough to trigger a parliamentary debate.
In an intimate interview with Hello!, Rebecca recounted her mother's words: "My mum said that she lost her mother, her husband and her dog within a very short time and that of the three, the dog had the most wonderful death, and the others didn't," reports the Express.
Dame Esther Rantzen (L) and Rebecca Wilcox attend the Cirque du Soleil OVO premiere ((Image: John Phillips/Getty Images))Facing the grim reality, Rebecca expressed her hope that the trip to Dignitas isn't imminent, but admitted the legal risks involved: "We're just hoping that flight to Dignitas doesn't have to happen any time soon. I can't say whether I'd go with her because I'd face prosecution, which would be a nightmare at the worst time in my life and something I don't think I'd ever get over."
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She added: "But it would be a very strange version of me that would let her go alone."
At 44, Rebecca, a journalist and presenter for BBC's Morning Live, cherishes the moments with her mother, feeling "so lucky" to have spent another Christmas with Dame Esther, a cherished television figure and tireless charity worker.
The family, including siblings Joshua and Miriam, are united in their grief as they face the devastating impact of Dame Esther's illness on their lives and the charitable causes she holds dear.
Esther Rantzen with her husband, Desmond Wilcox, and their children, Emily, 4, Rebecca, 2, and 4-month-old Joshua on 10th March 1982 (Allan Olley/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)With Childline, the counselling service established by Dame Esther as part of the NSPCC, Rebecca plans to take over from her mother's role as president, as she holds the position of deputy president before the "inevitable happens".
Following involvement in the charity's Childhood Day event this month and training as a volunteer counsellor, Rebecca shared: "Obviously, I've grown up with the charity, and it has always held a very special place in my heart."
Currently in a stable condition due to a "miracle" drug that proves effective only in specific cases, Dame Esther has planned her assisted death.
This planning aims to safeguard her family's fond reminiscing of her, despite the physical constraints her condition has imposed. Her mental acuity, however, remains intact.
The sad reality of Dame Esther's illness is being communicated to her grandsons, who lovingly address her as "Etta". Rebecca believes in avoiding any sudden shock of losing their grandmother, which could amplify their sorrow.
Right now, the family seizes every possible opportunity to spend time with Dame Esther, whose days are predominantly spent at her home in New Forest. According to Rebecca, her home embodies all the memories she could ever wish for.
Reflecting on her mother's legacy, Rebecca said: "For me, my mum's legacy will be her endless capacity for kindness. Constantly thinking of other people is a wonderful - if exhausting - way to live, but it is how she's lived her life."
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