Faith Dingle’s death on Emmerdale reignites assisted dying debate, as proposals for law change progress across the British Isles

• In tonight’s episode, terminally ill Faith takes own life while dying of breast cancer – a plan revealed to daughter-in-law Moira in recent episodes
• Dignity in Dying was consulted on storyline, providing insight on drastic measures many are forced to resort to without option of assisted dying
• Bereaved relatives speak out on need for law change across the UK, as Assisted Dying Bill officially begins journey in Scottish Parliament this week

In tonight’s episode of Emmerdale, the ITV soap which is currently celebrating its 50 anniversary, longstanding character Faith Dingle takes her own life while dying of terminal breast cancer.

Dignity in Dying, which campaigns for a change in the law on assisted dying in the UK, consulted on the storyline, providing research and personal testimony on the drastic measures hundreds of terminally ill people are forced to resort to without a legal option to die on their own terms.

This comes as an Assisted Dying Bill began its journey in the Scottish Parliament on Monday, with Jersey’s parliament currently consulting on proposals and a bill due to be considered in the Isle of Man in the coming months.

Faith, played by actor Sally Dexter, shared concerns in recent episodes that she will suffer and lose control despite the best efforts of palliative care. She remembered the death of a relative, which she said was “cruel… Whatever it was she had, we watched it take everything from her… I’m not having that… When I go, I want to still be me.”

Faith revealed her plan to her daughter-in-law Moira some episodes ago, but swore her to secrecy in an effort to protect the rest of her family and friends. Tonight’s episode sees Faith take matters into her own hands alone, having stockpiled medication to end her life.

Emmerdale’s storyline mirrors the reality for hundreds of terminally ill people under the UK’s current laws. Researchers, producers and actors from the show met with Steve Jetley before filming, whose terminally ill wife Tina Humphrey, a Britain’s Got Talent finalist in 2010 with her dancing dog Chandi, took her own life in 2017 at the age of 45 to avoid a painful, prolonged death. Today Zoe Hyatt-Marley, whose mother and husband both took their own lives while dying of cancer, join Steve in calling for a law to provide greater choice, protection and compassion to terminally ill people.

In 2018, Zoe’s mother Judith, who had terminal skin cancer, attempted to take her own life but survived, awaking in agony. She died a month later following another attempt. Just 11 months after her mother’s death, Zoe’s husband Andrew was diagnosed with colon cancer. It later became terminal despite treatment, and having seen how his mother-in-law had suffered at the end of her life, he decided to end his own life in 2021, with Zoe holding his hand.

Zoe said:

“For me, Faith’s death in Emmerdale isn’t just a dramatic soap storyline; it’s my real life. Both my mother and my husband feared dying in pain, and both said they would take matters into their own hands before cancer did its worst to them.

“I have been left with traumatic memories of my mum’s death, and the first attempt that caused her hours of agony. My husband’s death was more peaceful – as a dentist he had a better knowledge of drugs – but he shouldn’t have had to die in secret and without proper medical guidance.

“I fully supported their choices but I am devastated that things could – and should – have been so different for them and for our family if they could each have had the option of assisted dying to end their lives with the dignity they deserved.”

Molly Pike, Media and Campaigns Officer at Dignity in Dying, said:

“Faith’s storyline is sadly not just a work of fiction; it reflects the reality of our broken assisted dying laws. Faith is not alone in making this impossible decision to take matters into her own hands. Without an assisted dying law, hundreds of terminally ill people a year end their own lives, often in uncertain ways, without medical guidance and keeping it a secret from their loved ones to protect them.

“Two-hundred million people across the world have access to some form of an assisted dying law, something supported by 84% of people in this country. Just this week, Scotland’s Assisted Dying Bill began its journey through Holyrood, and laws are also being considered in Jersey and Isle of Man parliaments. President Macron has also shared his plans for assisted dying to become legal in France by the end of next year.

“Now Westminster must give assisted dying the time and respect it deserves and ensure a fair, evidence-based debate, so that we can at last banish these stories to the realms of fiction.”

*ENDS*

For further information and interviews with parliamentarians, Dignity and Dying spokespeople and case studies please contact Molly Pike, Media and Campaigns Officer at Dignity in Dying on 07929 731181 or email: molly.pike@dignityindying.org.uk