Ruth Langsford has revealed she would support and help her husband Eamonn Holmes’ wish to die if he asked her to.
Last week, the Northern Irish presenter, 53, revealed he would rather travel to Switzerland and be helped to die than live with a terminal illness like dementia.
His admission came shortly after he was told a recently diagnosed hearing impairment could put him at greater risk of dementia.
Read more: Eamonn Holmes reveals “controversial” wish for future
Speaking about her husband’s comments, Ruth said during Tuesday’s Loose Women: “It sounds very shocking but he was doing an interview about hearing loss.
“He’s got 30 percent hearing loss and that is sometimes connected with dementia.”
She continued: “He’s always said [to me], ‘just take me somewhere, I just couldn’t live like that,’ and whether I would support that, which I would, because I know that’s his wish.
“I’m not saying I would find that easy but because I know him so well, he would find life with a terminal illness just not worth living.
“Because I love him, I would want to help him with that. It is a very controversial subject, I know.”
Ruth, 58, said she believes people should be allowed to die in their own home rather than go to a clinic if that is their “dying wish.”
Assisted dying is currently legal in Switzerland and other European countries, however, is illegal in the UK.
Last week, Eamonn opened up to Best magazine about his wish.
Speaking about his wife Ruth, the star said: “Look, Ruth doesn’t like talking about mortality, Ruth puts her fingers in her ears.
“I’m far more reconciled to these things and I say to all my children and my wife, ‘take me to Switzerland and press the red button, that is what I want’.
“I have no desire to lose my dignity. I just don’t want it to happen to me. However controversial that may sound, that’s my genuine wish.”
Eamonn said he has seen how degenerative dementia can be, after members of his own family, and Ruth’s father, were diagnosed with the disease.
Prior to his interview with Best, Eamonn opened up about how he’s got used to losing 30 percent of his hearing.
He told the Telegraph: “I was reassured that was nothing abnormal, but it’s a lot to cope with.
“No one warns you that your hearing is going to go down from 50. People my age, we’re not ready for that. Learning a third of your hearing has gone is not the best birthday present.”
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