Dame Esther Rantzen has said it would be “lovely” to meet her late husband Desmond Wilcox again in heaven, as she confirmed that her life-extending wonder drug has stopped working. The That’s Life presenter, 84, has been receiving treatment for stage four lung cancer and revealed she now enjoys every day “as an extra bonus”.

She said: “If there is a heaven, it would be a very happy place. It’s a lovely idea to meet Desmond again and all those I have loved and lost — my parents and grandparents, my close friends and family.” The couple married in 1977 and share three children: Miriam, Rebecca and Joshua. TV executive Desmond died of heart disease in September 2000, aged 69. Describing her future as “extremely limited”, Dame Esther said she was spending her days at her New Forest home admiring her beautiful spring garden.

She added: “Television and Radio 4 are great company for people like me, who can no longer get about much. I have become addicted to quizzes and antique shows.”

The Childline founder and grandmother-of-five said her happiest moments were “when I make my grandchildren laugh”. And she has been enjoying the company of an unexpected companion — her rescue cat Boots.

She said: “Boots chose us; we had no intention of owning a cat. It makes me happy watching Boots take over the household.”

Dame Esther has not been seen in public since she shared news of her terminal diagnosis and decision to register with Dignitas, the Swiss assisted suicide clinic, in late 2023.

She became a leading voice in the campaign to legalise assisted dying after her candid comments sparked a national conversation about choice at the end of life.

Her daughter Rebecca recently revealed that the lung cancer drug that had been keeping the disease at bay was no longer working. And Rebecca said the Dignitas plan was “out of the window” because her mum is no longer well enough to travel.

Writing for The Times, Dame Esther confirmed the news, adding: “I am trying a different treatment. Some days are better than others.”

The lifelong campaigner is a key supporter of Kim Leadbeater’s landmark Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill and the Express Give Us Our Last Rights crusade.

Reflecting on the huge impact of her public support, she noted that taking up another cause was the last thing she had expected at this stage of life.

However, her situation “seems to have struck a nerve with the public. So to my surprise the assisted dying campaign found me. But it would be nice to think I’m still useful.”

She added: “I want the ones I love to have good memories of our life together. Not terrible memories of the way I die."

Ms Leadbeater announced on Tuesday that her Bill will return to the Commons for report stage on May 16, later than the originally planned date of April 25.

She said the change would give MPs more time to consider amendments made at committee stage, while allowing the legislation to remain on track to complete all its parliamentary stages.

Major amendments passed include an extension of the maximum implementation period from two years to four, and a decision to swap review by the High Court for a panel of experts.

Dame Esther said: “I always knew that any change in the assisted dying law could not possibly come in time for me.

"So the delay — the law in England and Wales could be pushed back until at least 2029 — won’t affect me personally.

“I am extremely sorry for the sake of other terminally ill patients who will be denied the right to choose.

“The sooner it is put in place, the more patients will be given that right and the more vulnerable people will be protected from pressure or coercion.”

Admitting that the campaign has taken a toll, Dame Esther said: “I am not sure I enjoy constantly talking about death.”

But she added that it was “crucial” and she was determined to support the work of Ms Leadbeater and other supporters “in any way I can”.

“Anyone who called her programme That’s Life!, as I did, clearly thinks work is life and vice versa,” she said.

“But love is what sustains and inspires you. The greatest loves of my life have been my late, much missed husband, Desmond, our three children and my closest friends.

“Changing the law can be done, but should be hard. Any new law must be very carefully scrutinised and thought through. There are hardly ever any easy answers.”

In a letter to MPs about the change of date, Ms Leadbeater said she had listened to colleagues who wanted more time to consider the changes to the Bill.

She added: “I fully appreciate the dedication and seriousness with which colleagues are approaching this hugely important issue, and feel I have a duty to take these comments on board.

“I have always said it is more important to do this work properly than to do it quickly, which is why I ensured the committee had plenty of time to do its work and why I think it is now sensible to allow all MPs a few more weeks for their own consideration.

“I am absolutely confident that by doing so, it will not delay the bill’s passage towards Royal Assent should both Houses give it their support.”