Dame Esther Rantzen, the 83-year-old founder of Childline, has announced that she will not be able to attend the Westminster debate on assisted dying due to her stage four lung cancer diagnosis. Despite her desire to be present, she explained that health issues prevent her from doing so. Rantzen has been considering traveling to Dignitas in Switzerland for an assisted death but has expressed concern over the legal consequences her family could face under current laws. She emphasized that the decision should be hers, as it is her life, and that she supports the majority view that assisted dying should be a personal choice. The upcoming debate marks the first time MPs will discuss the issue in nearly two years, following the publication of legislation in Scotland to introduce assisted dying for terminally ill individuals.