Esther Rantzen's daughter comforted by GMB's Rob Rinder as she breaks down in tears

Rebecca Wilcox, daughter of famed journalist Esther Rantzen, shared a tearful moment with Good Morning Britain host Robert Rinder on Friday morning.

Esther Rantzen's daughter holds back tears in emotional GMB chat

Esther Rantzen's daughter Rebecca Wilcox was comforted by Good Morning Britain presenter Robert Rinder following an emotional plea on the ITV news show this morning (July 19).

The daughter of the famed journalist, who is terminally ill with lung cancer, joined the programme to campaign Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to change the law in support of assisted dying.

Rebecca admitted she "can't talk about it" without getting emotional, and tearfully grabbed a sofa cushion towards the end of the interview.

As the segment wrapped up, presenters Robert and Charlotte Hawkins brought their guest in for a sweet hug.

Rebecca's appearance comes after her mother Esther joined assisted dying clinic Dignitas in Switzerland following her diagnosis in 2023.

Rebecca Wilcox GMB

Esther Rantzen's daughter comforted by GMB host as she breaks down in tears (Image: ITV)

Assisted dying is currently illegal in the UK, and Rebecca expressed disappointment that the new Labour government did not maintain Sir Keir's promise to reverse the law in this week's King's speech.

However, the Prime Minister has reiterated his commitment to voting on a Bill to make assisted suicide legal.

"We feel like we’re living in an hourglass and the sand is pouring on us," Rebecca admitted.

“There will come a point where our heads are no longer above it, and I really want politicians, MPs, people of this country to realise that we all have a choice in how we live, and I want us to have a choice in how we die.

Charlotte Hawkins, Robert Rinder, Rebecca Wilcox

Robert and Rebecca shared an emotional hug at the end of the interview (Image: ITV)

"This is not about shortening anyone’s life – it’s about shortening their death and making it dignified.”

Holding back tears, Rebecca added: "I don't want her to go through a painful death.

"I don’t want my memories of her to completely be dissolved by pain and agony in those last few days."

She then encouraged viewers to write to their MPS for a free vote on a “really kind law” that “gives people choice”.

Rebecca Wilcox hiding face with a cushion

Rebecca grabbed a cushion to hide her tears (Image: ITV)

By the end of the interview, Rebecca was struggling to hold back tears while Robert encouraged viewers who have been affected by this issue to visit the ITV helplines.

The breaking point came when Charlotte told their guest her mum "must be very proud", causing Rebecca to tearfully grab a cushion to hide her face.

“I’m not supposed to move this…” Rebecca realised, just as Robert stood up to bring her in for a hug.

“God, you two are too nice!” she exclaimed as she stood up and wiped away tears.

Charlotte stood up for a hug as well, telling Rebecca to give her mother Esther “all our love”.

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV and ITVX

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