
Joanna Lumley considers assisted dying if she's left in 'miserable' state
The 79-year-old star has revealed in a new interview that she would consider voluntary euthanasia if she were unable to look after herself.
'People are terribly anxious about it and think one may be coerced (into voluntary euthanasia),' she said when asked about the bill in an interview with Saga magazine.
'But I'm saying this now when nobody's coercing me, don't let me turn into somebody who doesn't recognise the people I love most, where I'm having a miserable time.
She added that she felt if she were unable to communicate or feed herself, it could be time to go.
'When I get to the stage where I can't speak and have to be fed, that won't be me any more, and that's when I wouldn't mind saying farewell.'
The Terminally Ill Adults (end of life) Bill – also known as the Assisted Dying Bill was backed by MPs in the House of Commons last month.
The bill would allow terminally ill adults with fewer than six months to live, to apply for an assisted death.
It would mean that those wishing to die with assisted dying would need to get approval from two doctors, and a panel of experts including a social worker, psychiatrist and senior legal figure.
The House of Lords is set to debate and vote on the bill in the next stage of passing it.
Dame Ester Rantzen, who has terminal cancer, has been one of the high-profile backers of the new bill and has urged members of the House of Lords not to block the legislation.
Dame Joanna has now spoken about her mortality before, saying that she doesn't want to look back and feel she's wasted her time. More Trending
'As you near the top of the hill, you suddenly think, 'Gosh, there's not all that amount of time left',' she said.
'My time must be coming quite soon, and I don't want to have wasted a minute of being on this beautiful planet.'
Speaking to My Weekly, she also urged young people to worry less, adding: 'I used to panic when I was young, but as I've got older, I've started literally to live day to day.
'With age, you work out what matters. I always knew that good stuff would come along when I was older. When I was 18, I longed to be 30. When I was 30, I longed to be 50. We mustn't be led into thinking getting old is bad. Growing old is good.'
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
MORE: Inventor of the 'Tesla' of suicide pods 'vows to bring device to UK'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Shocking moment The Bill legend Reg Hollis tackles shoplifter in real-life arrest
Jeff Stewart, who played Pc Reg Hollis in ITV series The Bill, helped officers during a real-life arrest in Southampton, sitting on a suspect's legs to prevent him from escaping This is the shocking moment TV copper Pc Reg Hollis helps real-life police officers arrest a shoplifter as he attempted to escape on a bicycle. Actor Jeff Stewart, who played Pc Hollis for 24 years in ITV series The Bill, jumped into action by sitting on the suspect's legs after he fell from the bike, while officers handcuffed him in the incident in Southampton, Hampshire, on Wednesday. Bodycam footage from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary shows Jeff, wearing sunglasses and shorts, being thanked by officers. He replies: "No, sure, man. Well, I was in The Bill for 24 years, in the TV show. Yeah, I played Reg." The star later posed for a group photo with police officers. Mohamed Diallo, 29, of Anglesea Road, Southampton, was charged with five offences of theft, to which he pleaded guilty, at Southampton Magistrates' Court on Thursday. He was bailed to be sentenced on August 29. A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: "In policing you should always expect the unexpected, but this really wasn't on The Bill for this week. "Officers making an arrest in Southampton were aided by none other than TV's Pc Reg Hollis during an incident on Wednesday 23 July. The officers, from Bargate Neighbourhoods Policing Team, were in the city in the afternoon when they were alerted by staff at Co-op in Ocean Way to a suspected shoplifter, who attempted to make good his escape on a bicycle. "The thief, 29-year-old Mohamed Diallo, fell off the bike during his attempts to flee, before officers pounced to make their arrest. To their surprise, local TV legend Jeff Stewart, who played Pc Hollis for 24 years in The Bill, came to their aid by sitting on the suspect's legs while officers put him in cuffs. "Long since retired from Sun Hill station – but he's still got it." Diallo was convicted of the theft of £17.25 worth of coffee from Co-op in Ocean Way on July 23, theft of £69.90 worth of coffee and food items on July 17, and £54.50 of alcohol and coffee from the same shop on July 14. He also admitted stealing £80 of wine from Sainsbury's in Bedford Place on July 14 and £63 worth of alcohol from Sainsbury's in Redcar Street on April 22. The Bill, which ran from 1984 until 2010, followed the personal and professional lives of detectives from the fictional Sun Hill area of east London. Jeff was the highest-earning cast member, raking in £150,000 a year for his appearances. He appeared in the first ever episode of the series, which aired in 1984. His character rocked short, cropped dark hair and a clean-shaven face during his time on the fan-favourite ITV series. The Bill actor would usually wear a smart police officer's uniform, which included a crisp white shirt, a simple black tie and a classic police officer's vest. Since leaving the long-running series, the actor continued appearing on TV and had roles in movies and shows like Dead Man Running, The Hooligan Factory and Mob Handed. He also starred in Under Jakob's Ladder in 2011, in which he picked up the Best Actor gong at the Manhattan Film Festival.


Scottish Sun
20 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Shock moment The Bill legend Reg Hollis helps tackle shoplifter to the ground in real life arrest leaving cop stunned
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS is the shocking moment The Bill icon Reg Hollis helps tackle a shoplifter to the ground in a real life arrest. TV star Jeff Stewart, who played his role on the hit police drama for 24 years, stepped in to help on Wednesday. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 8 The Bill icon Reg Hollis helped tackle a shoplifter to the ground in a real life arrest Credit: PA 8 He played his role on the hit police drama for 24 years Credit: Rex 8 The suspect was detained on Wednesday in Southampton Credit: PA Bodycam footage from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary revealed a chase unfolding in Ocean Way, Southampton. Officers run after suspected shoplifter, Mohamed Diallo, who is attempting to flee the scene by bike. He falls off a few times before being knocked over by the police. Policemen pin him to the floor, with the help of Jeff, who sits on his legs. The former Bill legend, casually wearing sunglasses and shorts, is thanked and replies: "No, sure, man. Well, I was in The Bill for 24 years, in the TV show. Yeah, I played Reg." The star later posed with the force for a group photo. They posted: "Long since retired from Sun Hill station - but he's still got it!" Mohamed Diallo, 29, admitted stealing alcohol and food in five separate incidents. He will be sentenced by Southampton magistrates in August. Jeff was one of the longest lasting actors on The Bill, appearing from 1984 to 2008. He appeared alongside Graham Cole's PC Tony Stamp and Mark Wingett's character DC Jim Carver. Following his departure from the show, Jeff starred in 2009's Dead Man Running, 2010's Tomorrow and Under Jakob's Ladder in 2011 - where he managed to bag himself Best Actor at the Manhattan Film Festival. Speaking about leaving the drama, he previously said: "I didn't see a counsellor, it was evident I was OK and I never worried how it would affect my career. 'I thought, 'I have a choice, you can either stagnate or blossom.' 8 He told officers "No, sure, man. Well, I was in The Bill for 24 years, in the TV show. Yeah, I played Reg" Credit: PA 8 Mohamed Diallo attempted to flee by bike Credit: PA 8 Jeff sat on the shoplifter's legs to help officers Credit: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary The Bill launched on ITV in 1983 but was axed in 2010, after running for an incredible 26 series. The show, set in the fictional Sun Hill in London, became the longest-running police procedural drama in Britain. It helped launch the careers of Keira Knightley, David Tennant, James Mcavoy, Sean Bean and David Walliams. This comes after more shocking arrests have been caught on camera up and down the country. In one incident, cops were punched and kicked by a baying mob before one officer body slammed a yob against car. Last month dramatic footage revealed the moment cops arrested a 92-year-old man for a murder carried out nearly 60 years before. Video caught on police bodycam saw Ryland Headley being detained at his home for the murder of Louisa Dunne in what was Britain's oldest cold case review. Elsewhere, a dashcam recording captured the moment a biker yob dragged a hero cop down the road as he tried to arrest him for anti-social riding. Sergeant Tom Brookes asked Scott Ryall, 21, to pull over after he spotted him doing dangerous wheelies in Bargoed, Wales, on April 8. Plus, cops released a video showing a sacked police officer tackling a teenage suspect and screaming in his face. The shocking footage was made public after a campaign was launched to reverse the decision to dismiss PC Lorne Castle for the 'aggressive' and 'intimidating' arrest. 8 The former actor later posed for photos with the force Credit: Solent


The Sun
20 hours ago
- The Sun
Shock moment The Bill legend Reg Hollis helps tackle shoplifter to the ground in real life arrest leaving cop stunned
THIS is the shocking moment The Bill icon Reg Hollis helps tackle a shoplifter to the ground in a real life arrest. TV star Jeff Stewart, who played his role on the hit police drama for 24 years, stepped in to help on Wednesday. 8 8 8 Bodycam footage from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary revealed a chase unfolding in Ocean Way, Southampton. Officers run after suspected shoplifter, Mohamed Diallo, who is attempting to flee the scene by bike. He falls off a few times before being knocked over by the police. Policemen pin him to the floor, with the help of Jeff, who sits on his legs. The former Bill legend, casually wearing sunglasses and shorts, is thanked and replies: "No, sure, man. Well, I was in The Bill for 24 years, in the TV show. Yeah, I played Reg." The star later posed with the force for a group photo. They posted: "Long since retired from Sun Hill station - but he's still got it!" Mohamed Diallo, 29, admitted stealing alcohol and food in five separate incidents. He will be sentenced by Southampton magistrates in August. Jeff was one of the longest lasting actors on The Bill, appearing from 1984 to 2008. He appeared alongside Graham Cole's PC Tony Stamp and Mark Wingett's character DC Jim Carver. Following his departure from the show, Jeff starred in 2009's Dead Man Running, 2010's Tomorrow and Under Jakob's Ladder in 2011 - where he managed to bag himself Best Actor at the Manhattan Film Festival. Speaking about leaving the drama, he previously said: "I didn't see a counsellor, it was evident I was OK and I never worried how it would affect my career. 'I thought, 'I have a choice, you can either stagnate or blossom.' 8 8 8 The Bill launched on ITV in 1983 but was axed in 2010, after running for an incredible 26 series. The show, set in the fictional Sun Hill in London, became the longest-running police procedural drama in Britain. It helped launch the careers of Keira Knightley, David Tennant, James Mcavoy, Sean Bean and David Walliams. This comes after more shocking arrests have been caught on camera up and down the country. In one incident, cops were punched and kicked by a baying mob before one officer body slammed a yob against car. Last month dramatic footage revealed the moment cops arrested a 92-year-old man for a murder carried out nearly 60 years before. Video caught on police bodycam saw Ryland Headley being detained at his home for the murder of Louisa Dunne in what was Britain's oldest cold case review. Elsewhere, a dashcam recording captured the moment a biker yob dragged a hero cop down the road as he tried to arrest him for anti-social riding. Sergeant Tom Brookes asked Scott Ryall, 21, to pull over after he spotted him doing dangerous wheelies in Bargoed, Wales, on April 8. Plus, cops released a video showing a sacked police officer tackling a teenage suspect and screaming in his face. The shocking footage was made public after a campaign was launched to reverse the decision to dismiss PC Lorne Castle for the 'aggressive' and 'intimidating' arrest. 8 8