Dame Esther Rantzen 'never thought she'd be here' as she makes devastating plea

Dame Esther Rantzen has expressed her surprise at still being alive as MPs prepare to debate the Assisted Dying bill today.

The renowned journalist and television presenter is backing the bill, which is set to be discussed in the House of Commons later today, having joined Dignitas following her terminal lung cancer diagnosis.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain, she told host Paul Brand: "What is happening at the moment is compelling people to have really agonising deaths.

"Someone in agony, with pain - no palliative care can ease - becomes a terribly terribly tragic memory. Overwhelms other happier memories. The law at the moment is a mess, and it's cruel. You'll remember that Sir Keir Starmer said to me that he hoped I would be able to see the debate, but I never thought that was possible."

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is being debated by members of Parliament today, which would permit certain individuals to have a medically-assisted death.

Under the proposed legislation, those with a terminal diagnosis and an expected lifespan of six months or less could seek assistance to end their life, subject to the agreement of two doctors and a High Court judge, reports the Mirror.

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater is leading the bill, with Dame Esther having previously told the MP: "I would much rather be able to die in my own home surrounded by people who are close to me.

"But that choice won't be open to me because even if we get a 'yes' vote in this debate... you can't get through the next stage in under a year. And my miracle drug is working jolly hard, but I can't expect it to keep me alive for a year."

Dame Esther lamented that under current UK laws, she would have no choice but to journey to Switzerland alone for her final moments. She highlighted the risk of prosecution her family would face for accompanying her, as they could be charged with assisting her death.

She has previously condemned the existing legislation as "terrible" and "cruel". In a heartfelt declaration earlier this year, she revealed she was experiencing her "last Spring", constantly contemplating her mortality.

"I'm watching the spring flowers come out, thinking: 'This is probably my last spring.' When I talk to my grandchildren when they come and visit me, I'm very aware these moments are precious.

"They may be the last memories they have of me. My own death is constantly in my mind. It would give me so much confidence if I could also know that however the illness progresses, whatever pain it causes, wherever it strikes me next, I will still have the choices of a pain free, dignified private death surrounded by the people I love."

*Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.