Dame Esther Rantzen said she thought she was "long gone" when MPs discussed euthanasia.

Previously the broadcaster Revealed that she has joined DignitasEuthanasia clinic in Switzerland, after diagnosis of terminal lung cancer.

this Terminal Ill Adults (End-of-Life) Billwhich would allow some people to access medically assisted dying, will be discussed in the House of Commons later.

While Mrs Esther wants the law changed, opponents fear people could be pressured to take their own lives.

assisted dying Typically refers to a terminally ill person receiving lethal medication from a doctor and taking it on their own.

It is banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.

Under the bill, adults who are expected to die within six months can seek help to end their lives.

Two doctors and a High Court judge need to agree they are eligible.

Supporter of the bill, Labor MP Kim Leadbeater, said it could Preventing 'painful' deaths.

Mrs Esther said she told Ms Leadbeater that the current laws in the UK were "horrible" and "cruel" because they forced people to travel alone to Switzerland to die.

The Childline founder, who lives in the New Forest, Hampshire, said her family would risk prosecution for assisting her death if they went with her.

"I would rather die in my own home, surrounded by people close to me," she said.

"But that option will not be open to me because even if we vote 'yes' on this debate... you can't get to the next stage in a year.

"My miracle drug is working, but I can't expect it to keep me alive for a year."

Mrs Ester said she was surprised she was alive to see the bill debated.

"It's amazing to me that I seem to still be here while this is happening," she said.

Although she doesn't think she will live long enough to take advantage of the new law, she said she wants to protect other families from "the same traumatic experience."

"In the old days, doctors would cut you out of your life, but it wasn't necessarily with your consent," she said.

"It's not part of the built-in safeguards, but in this new bill it will be part of the built-in safeguards."

The bill must be approved by MPs and peers to become law, with a first debate and vote set to take place later.