Star calls for assisted suicide debate

Ian Wylie

January 16, 2009

| Submit Comments | Comments (6) | Previous | Next

Julie Walters

ACTRESS Julie Walters has called for a fresh debate on the controversial issue of assisted suicide.

The Manchester-trained film and TV star plays the lead in new BBC1 drama A Short Stay In Switzerland, inspired by the true story of Dr Anne Turner, who took her life in 2006 with the help of doctors at a Swiss clinic.

Oscar-nominated Mamma Mia! star Julie trained as a nurse before taking a drama course at Manchester Polytechnic.

She said: "How many times as a nurse did I hear people say, `Why can't I just go?' What this film did was illuminate that it needs to be debated properly."

The 90-minute drama, to be broadcast on January 25, was made with the co-operation of Dr Turner's three children, who were said to be 'deeply moved' when they saw a preview.

Their mother had an incurable degenerative disease, having seen her husband Jack die from a near-identical illness.

Dr Turner, from Bath, travelled to the Dignitas clinic in Zurich and died on the day before her 67th birthday after doctors gave her drugs with which to end her life.

Julie, 58, said the drama did not endorse assisted suicide.

"I think what Anne Turner did was right for her," she said.

| Submit Comments | Comments (6) | Previous | Next

Showing comments 1 to 6 and replies | View All

Esso Blue, Elite are Circling., Manchester City F.C. busy Rubber Stamping. It's a done deal. Next (16/01/2009 at 15:55)

I think assisted suicide is a good thing because people shouldn't need to have to suffer for prolonged periods especially if they want to get away from suffering.

Obviously there is the moral religious issue.

Take away the religious side and morally l would say it is the best thing because it is what that person wants, and you wouldn't want suffering.

trainman (16/01/2009 at 16:13)

Nobodies business but the person concerned,obviously safeguards need to be in place but terminally ill people shouldn't have their suffering prolonged unless they wish to for religious reasons,which doesn't apply in my case.All we want is the choice.

andanotherthing, Mcr (16/01/2009 at 17:11)

It is inspirational to see how someone you know and love can stand and face the worst. It is distressing all round, to see that same magnificent ordinary person, forced to endure, not the inevitable death. But the complete loss of that very dignity and pride.
To add humiliation to the pain.

I do hope that I will be able to choose, if and when in that position.

Jay B, oldham (16/01/2009 at 17:24)

why is it if a pet is suffering it is put down but if a human being is suffering the have to be kept alive.

its best example of human torture out there!

Charlotte Collins (16/01/2009 at 18:41)

Assisted suicide wouldnt be everyone's choice, but thats exactly what it should be, your choice. If I was diagnosed with a debilitating, life threatening disease, I wouldnt hesitate to end my suffering and would support any relatives decision to end their life if that was what they wanted.

Pippa, Manchester (17/01/2009 at 17:56)

As Jay B quite rightly says, we allow animals to be put to sleep to avoid unnecessary suffering and yet insist that fellow human beings suffer pain and lack of dignity in spite of their wishes. Undoubtedly there should be safeguards in place, but I sinscerely hope that should I know that I were facing a long and drawn out painful death that I would be able to choose a dignified suicide without any repercussions for those that aided in any way.

()

Report

News