Vanessa Feltz burst into tears after an intense encounter on live air.
The TalkTV anchor was speaking with the daughter of TV star Dame Esther Rantzen, who disclosed in May 2023 that she had stage 4 lung cancer. The Childline founder, 83, has since stated that she has entered the assisted dying facility Dignitas in Switzerland.
On Thursday evening, Vanessa, 62, discussed the Assisted Dying Bill with Rebecca Wilcox, the famed broadcaster’s daughter.
Rebecca explained: ‘Mum’s ideal dying, as well as my own, which I believe many people share, would be in bed surrounded by loved ones.‘Take a very gentle cocktail of whatever it may be, and I know I’m simply [saying] buying the medicine here, but then to gently drift off holding their hands.
‘Who wouldn’t hold that? Who instead would want to be in writhing agony for possibly months?’
Vanessa was noticeably overwhelmed when the part concluded and the programming transitioned to an advertisement break.
She said: ‘Rebecca, thank you very much, and give mummy all my love and a big kiss from me please.’
As she began to move on to the next tale, the seasoned broadcaster struggled to hold back tears.
She added: ‘Thank you very much indeed. Very good to see her but my God.’
The star of This Morning stated at the start of their talk that it was tough on a personal level because of her bond with Dame Esther.
‘I wish we were talking about absolutely anything else,’ she told Rebecca. ‘As you know, I’m a longtime friend and great admirer and adore of your mom.
‘So this is very personal to me but agonising for you and I, I really appreciate you talking about this.’
However, Rebecca was having difficulty with the interview, and Vanessa teared up as she explained why.
She added: ‘Oh Vanessa, this is impossible.
‘I have been absolutely fine with every other interview [on this subject] but because it’s you and I adore you and you are a friend of the family – and as well as one of the world’s best broadcasters, everybody should be aware of that – I’m finding it quite hard to verbalise it.’
What is Dignitas?
Dignitas is a Swiss nonprofit organisation providing physician-assisted suicide to members with terminal illness or severe physical or mental illness, supported by independent Swiss doctors.
The average cost is £10,000 and it does carry a risk of prosecution for anyone assisting or accompanying a loved one.
Under the Suicide Act 1961, this is a crime with a maximum sentence of 14 years in England and Wales
She then gave an update on her mum’s condition, admitting ‘you’re as good as your last scan’.
‘And for the moment, the miracle drug that she’s on is working. So we’re in a sort of holding pattern, but it’s an okay holding pattern,’ she admitted.
Dame Esther previously told the BBC’s The Today Podcast that she’s calling for a free vote on assisted dying, as she feels it is ‘important that the law catches up with what the country wants.’
And she has also explained to Loose Women: ‘I don’t know if I’ll live long enough to see this debated in parliament but if you do agree with me, please, please make your views known to your MP.
‘And for those that disagree – maybe on religious principles or maybe because they’re professionally absorbed in palliative care and believe that this goes against what they practice in medicine – can I just say, all we ask for is the choice.’
Currently, assisted suicide is banned in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.