Dame Esther Rantzen is planning an early Christmas celebration with her family this year, in case she “doesn’t make” the actual day.
The renowned journalist and campaigner has been surprising herself by reaching milestones after being diagnosed with incurable lung cancer nearly three years ago. The grandmother of five has been fighting to legalise assisted dying since her shocking diagnosis, but there have been delays on the Assisted Dying Bill.
Earlier this year, Dame Esther, 85, expressed her belief that she won’t see it passed in her lifetime.
Now, the veteran presenter has decided to celebrate Christmas early due to fears she might not be alive on December 25. She stated: “This year I am planning an “official” Christmas with my children and five grandchildren, slightly ahead of the real Christmas so that there will be more chance that I am actually alive to enjoy it with them. Although I live alone, Rebecca (Dame Esther’s daughter) will come and decorate the house beautifully, as she has done every year with all my old baubles and bits of tinsel.”
Dame Esther revealed that she didn’t anticipate living for any more Christmases following her cancer diagnosis in January 2023. It rapidly progressed to Stage 4, and then her family informed the media that medication was no longer effective as the mother of three wasn’t responding to it.
Despite having celebrated two more Christmases since her diagnosis, the television icon now fears this may be her last – if she can make it through the next four weeks. In a frank discussion with The Times, Dame Esther revealed: “When I was diagnosed with lung cancer in January 2023, I did not expect to last until the next Christmas, so the fact that I am still here and looking forward to this one is a wonderful surprise.”
She explained she’s currently not receiving any treatment because the side-effects outweigh the benefits, so her cancer is progressing.
The journalist, who founded Childline and The Silver Line to support older people, continues to advocate for the legalisation of assisted dying. The Assisted Dying Bill was approved by MPs in June and is currently under consideration by the House of Lords.
Dame Esther revealed that her battle has provided her and thousands of other terminally ill individuals with renewed hope. The grandmother, originally from Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, added: “Given that I may last longer than I ever expected, I have just had great fun ordering tulip bulbs for the spring as well as making sure I have a turkey for our family Christmas. If I am still around for the real Christmas Day and new year, I look forward to relaxing, quiet days at home, spiced up with plenty of exuberant Zoom and phone calls.”
