Dame Helen Mirren and Sir Ian McKellen are urging peers to ‘show the world Britain can lead with empathy and courage’ on assisted dying.

Several prominent actors, including Esther Rantzen, Joanna Lumley, Prue Leith, Harriet Walter, Miriam Margolyes, and John Nettles, have put their names to a letter advocating for what they perceive as ‘choice and control’ in end-of-life decisions.

The House of Lords will debate the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on Friday. 

If passed, it will allow adults in England and Wales with less than six months to live to decide to end their lives. 

In Britain, assisting an adult to die is currently illegal, prompting some terminally ill individuals to seek assistance from foreign facilities like Dignitas in Switzerland.

In June, the Private Members’ Bill, which is sponsored by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, was passed in the Commons by a majority of just 23 MPs.

The campaign to allow assisted dying has been spearheaded by Childline founder Dame Esther, who has terminal lung cancer.

The House of Lords last reviewed the topic of assisted dying back in 2021, but the Bill was ultimately dropped due to time constraints at the committee stage. A similar proposal faced a vote from MPs in 2015 but was not passed.

Dame Helen Mirren (pictured) is urging peers to ‘show the world Britain can lead with empathy and courage’ on assisted dying

In June, the Private Members’ Bill, which is sponsored by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, was passed in the Commons by a majority of just 23 MPs

Sir Ian McKellen has also signed a letter supporting what they describe as ‘choice and control’ in death.

The letter, with backing from the advocacy group Dignity in Dying, expresses that many signatories have ‘witnessed loved ones endure unimaginable suffering at the end of their lives’.

They add: ‘And we are counting on you to stand with them too, and back this Bill.

‘Allow them the right to make decisions about their own end-of-life experience, a right every person merits. Demonstrate to those enduring suffering that you refuse to let an outdated law compel them to face intolerable agony contrary to their wishes.

‘Prove to us all that you support and uphold dignity, compassion, and personal freedom for every individual in Britain – including the terminally ill – where it truly counts.’

Other signatories include designer Jasper Conran, broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby and actress Zoe Wanamaker.

The letter adds: ‘This is not a radical proposition. It is a deeply popular and carefully considered reform whose time has come. Three-quarters of the British public support an assisted dying law. 

‘Many medical professionals now recognise the need for change. Yet we hear that some peers plan to block the Bill’s progress.

‘This cannot be allowed to happen… Let this Bill proceed. Give hope and relief to those who are suffering beyond what words can convey. 

The House of Lords will debate the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on Friday

The actors are joined by Esther Rantzen , Joanna Lumley (pictured), Prue Leith , Harriet Walter, Miriam Margolyes and John Nettles

‘Show the world that this country is prepared to lead with empathy and courage, ensuring that in our final days, each of us can face death on our own terms, surrounded by love, peace, and humanity.’

Under the terms of the Bill, two doctors must assist the request to ensure the applicant has reached the decision voluntarily. 

The person must then apply to the High Court for approval.

But critics say the Bill is a ‘slippery slope’ and legislation could put pressure on people to end their lives if they fear they are becoming a burden on others.

When it was passed by the Commons, Tory MP Danny Kruger, whose mother is Dame Prue, said ‘support is ebbing away fast’. 

He said he hoped the Lords would ‘feel they have a real job to do – to examine closely how the Bill will operate and to introduce their own amendments to make it safer, or to reject the Bill altogether’.