Esther Rentzen did not expect to live to see Bill assisted dying.

Dame Esther Rantzen has said she thought she would be “too far” by the time MPs debated assisted dying.

Earlier the broadcaster revealed that she had joined Dignitas.Clinic mortality after diagnosis of terminal lung cancer in Switzerland.

gave Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Billwhich would allow some people to die with medical assistance, will be debated later in the House of Commons.

While Dame Esther wants to change the law, she fears people may feel pressured to end their lives.

Helped to die. Usually refers to a person who is seriously ill after receiving lethal drugs from a medical practitioner, which they self-administer.

It is banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a maximum sentence of 14 years.

Under the bill, dying adults within six months can seek help to end their lives.

Two doctors and a High Court judge must agree that they are eligible.

Labor MP Kim Leadbetter, who is behind the bill, said it could happen. Prevent “annoying” deaths..

Dame Esther said she told Ms Ledbetter that the current laws in the UK were “appalling” and “cruel” as they forced people to travel alone to Switzerland to die.

The Childline founder, who lives in Hampshire’s New Forest, said if her family went with her, they risked being prosecuted for aiding and abetting her death.

“I will be able to die in my own home surrounded by people close to me,” she said.

“But the choice won’t be open to me, because even if we get a ‘yes’ vote in this debate… you’ll be out of the next phase in less than a year.” Can’t pass.

“And my miracle drug is working very hard but I can’t expect it to keep me alive for a year.”

Dame Esther said she was surprised she was still alive to see the bill debated.

“To my surprise I’m still here and this is happening,” he said.

Although she believes she won’t live long enough to take advantage of a new law, she said she wants to save other families from “the same painful experience.”

“In the old days, doctors would put you out of life and the difference was that it didn’t have to be your consent,” he said.

“It wasn’t part of the built-in safeguards, but in this new bill, it will be.”

A bill must be approved by MPs and peers before it becomes law, with debate and voting later.