Dame Esther Rantzen’s daughter shares update on 84-year-old’s health as she issues ‘hopeful’ plea to mark milestone
Rebecca Wilcox, daughter of Dame Esther Rantzen, has expressed hope that the assisted dying Bill will pass Friday’s crucial vote, describing it as a potential “wonderful 85th birthday present” for her mother.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill faces its third reading, with the result determining whether it progresses to the House of Lords or falls completely.
This marks the first vote on the Bill in its entirety since November’s historic approval by a majority of 55.
“We are really hopeful that we have the numbers,” Ms Wilcox explained, urging the public to contact their MPs.
She emphasised to Sky News that “nationally, the numbers are with us,” referring to public support for the legislation.
Dame Esther, who has terminal lung cancer, turns 85 on Sunday. Ms Wilcox provided an update on her mother’s health, revealing that Rantzen’s “wonder” cancer medication had stopped working and she has begun a new treatment regimen.
“She’s coping. This has been a long slog, and we’re hoping that we can maybe have a rest this weekend, particularly as it is her birthday on Sunday,” Ms Wilcox told the news outlet on Wednesday.
Despite the challenges, she expressed gratitude for the time with her mother.
“We are so grateful and so appreciative of all the time that we have with her, particularly as she turns 85 looking rather fabulous.”
Rantzen revealed in December 2023 that she had registered with Dignitas following her terminal lung cancer diagnosis, saying she did not want her family left with painful memories of her final days.
Ms Wilcox defended the Bill as a “really safe, clever piece of law” and rejected claims of a “slippery slope,” insisting safeguards would prevent expansion beyond terminally ill adults.
“It’s a Bill for the terminally ill. It’s a Bill for adults, and in every jurisdiction where they’ve had a similar Bill with such strict safeguards it is not extended to anybody else,” she told Sky.
She accused opponents of “scaremongering” regarding concerns about vulnerable people with depression or eating disorders. “You can’t just be depressed. You can’t just have an eating disorder,” she said.
The proposed legislation would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales with fewer than six months to live to apply for assisted death, requiring approval from two doctors and a panel including a social worker, senior legal figure and psychiatrist.
Ms Wilcox vowed to continue campaigning regardless of Friday’s outcome, acknowledging that defeat would represent “democracy in action” but insisting: “I’m not giving up.”
She reflected on her own mental health struggles, clarifying that the Bill would not encourage suicide.
“All it is doing is shortening death. You are already dying, it is those last few days, those last few hours, and it gives the patient some ease,” she explained.
Ms Wilcox called for England and Wales to “catch up with the rest of the world,” noting that 300 million people globally have access to assisted dying laws.
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“We need to show that we are an empathetic country that appreciates choice at the end of your life,” she said.