This is the awkward moment BBC presenter Amol Rajan asked if Dame Esther Rantzen, who has terminal cancer, is ‘with us’ as the pair experienced technical issues over a phone interview.
Appearing on Mr Rajan’s Today programme on Radio 4 this morning, Dame Esther jokingly responded to the ‘sloppy’ question after two seconds of silence: ‘I hope so – I’m trying my best.’
The Childline founder was appearing on the radio to discuss the news that parliament will debate whether to allow assisted dying – which Dame Esther has long campaigned for – this month.
When Dame Esther did reply, Mr Rajan immediately realised what he had said and burst out laughing as he offered an apology.
‘That was probably the worst question I’ve ever asked,’ he said. ‘I meant is the line working and it clearly very much is and I probably should start by asking how you are.’
In an awkward moment this morning, BBC Radio 4’s Amol Rajan asked if Dame Esther Rantzen, who has terminal cancer, is ‘with us’ as the pair experienced technical issues over a phone interview
Dame Esther jokingly responded to the ‘sloppy’ question after two seconds of silence: ‘I hope so’
The Childline founder was appearing on the radio to discuss Bill which will be brought to parliament by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater (seen) which would allow assisted dying – which Dame Esther has long campaigned for
Dame Esther has spoken emotively previously about what is a life life-and-death issue for her because she is dying of stage four lung cancer.
She went on to tell the BBC presenter how pleasantly surprised she was to hear that she has lived to see the day the issue is brought to parliament.
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater has tabled a Private Member’s Bill to give people ‘choice at the end of life’ on October 16, with Downing Street indicating it will not obstruct its progress.
The Spen Valley MP asked for ‘honest, compassionate and respectful debate’ when her Bill is considered in the Commons.Â
Her proposal would allow eligible adults to end their lives and ensure stronger protections for them and their loved ones in the aftermath.
Dame Esther responded last night by saying she was ‘thrilled and grateful’ at the news, which she said could mean ‘terminally-ill people like me can look forward with hope and confidence that we could have a good death’.
She said: ‘I never thought I might live to see the current cruel law change.
‘But even if it is too late for me, I know thousands of terminally-ill patients and their families will be given new hope.’
Earlier this month Sir Keir Starmer said he had given Dame Esther ‘his word’ that there would be a private member’s bill on the issue.
The Prime Minister added: ‘I repeat that commitment. I made it to her personally and I meant it, and we will.’
Ms Leadbeater said: ‘Parliament should now be able to consider a change in the law that would offer reassurance and relief — and most importantly, dignity and choice — to people in the last months of their lives.
‘I believe that with the right safeguards and protections in place, people who are already dying and are mentally competent to make a decision should be given the choice of a shorter, less painful death, on their own terms and without placing family and loved ones at risk of prosecution.’Â
It will be the first time the topic has been debated in the Commons since 2015, when an assisted dying bill was defeated.Â
