Euthanasia is the practice of intentionally ending life to eliminate the pain and suffering of those who are typically terminally ill or in an irreversible coma.
It is currently illegal in the UK, but different countries have different laws.
As of 2023, euthanasia is legal in Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal (pending regulation), Spain and Australia.
The former Countdown star, 62, shared her own thoughts on it as a guest on the latest episode of Kathy Burke's podcast, Where There's A Will, There's A Wake.
Carol Vorderman addressed the controversial topic as a guest on Kathy Burke's Where There's A Will, There's A Wake podcast
The controversial issue came up because Voderman's brother lives in Holland, where euthanasia is legal, and he had told her about a terminally ill friend who had chosen to go down that route.
“My brother has been living in Holland for a long time and said to me last year: ‘Oh, I'll be in Amsterdam on Tuesday.' […] because we're going to Dave's funeral'. Now Dave was his friend who had worked around the world at Shell. [Dave] was an engineer and [my brother] “We're having a party,” she explained to Burke.
“[I said,] ‘What?' He said, “So let's all get together, all these people, we're going to have a party with Dave.” I said, “What do you mean?” [And] Euthanasia is allowed [in Holland], Right? And [Dave] had terminal cancer and made that decision [he wanted Euthanasia]. So they had the party [and] The next day Dave died.
“The same people then left [to the funeral]. I thought, ‘How dignified and wonderful that was'.”
Burke agreed that it was a more dignified way, and Vorderman then admitted she would consider doing it herself if she were in a similar position, especially after hearing the death of her beloved mother Jean in 2017 after her fourth fight had witnessed against the cancer.
Carol Vorderman spoke about the impact watching her beloved mother Jean (pictured left) die of cancer had on her
/ Twitter @carolvorders“It really got me thinking a lot [how] To be perfectly honest, I would like something similar,” she said. “You know, I'm not kidding about seeing my mother's last breath…I just thought it was very dignified.”
Burke said, “I think we're going to have to deal with that more and more in this country.”
“That's not allowed here,” confirmed Voderman.
“It's not allowed,” Burke repeated, “and I kind of understand why people are so nervous. You know, but it should always be brought up.”
“I do. I think that's something that should be discussed,” concluded Vorderman.
“Where There's A Will There's A Wake” is available to listen to on all podcast platforms.
