7 d. ago ‘You are living with a difficult person who is waiting to die’: my harrowing time as Patricia Highsmith’s assistant

I worked for the author of The Talented Mr Ripley in her final months. She was so mean and secretive, I imagined she wanted to kill meI first read Patricia Highsmith’s novels in the autumn of 1994. I was 20 and living in a room in her house in Tegna, Switzerland, that was plastered with bookshelves full of her first editions, organised in chronological order. Pat was 73 and knew she was about to die; she had been, it was rumoured, diagnosed with cancer or some other terminal disease. I was trapped in her world with her, trembling. She had weeks left to live and had spent so much time writing about how to get away with murder. I fantasised that she might try to kill me.The story of how I ended up in that house begins a few months earlier, in Zurich, with me on a blue tram, on my way to dinner at the house of Anna and Daniel Keel, a couple I’d grown friendly with. Anna was a brilliant painter for whom I had been modelling since I was 17. Her studio smelled like oil paint, instant coff...

Events

2 w. ago Longtime State Department spokesman, diplomat Richard Boucher, dies at 73

Richard Boucher, who served for more than a decade as spokesman for the State Department and assistant secretary of state for public affairs, has died at age 73

Events

2 w. ago Esther Rantzen's daughter hits out at 'deathbed pictures' of her mum

Rebecca Wilcox said social media platforms 'must do better'

Events

2 w. ago Do better on fake images, Esther Rantzen’s daughter tells social media firms

The Childline founder and broadcaster’s family said they felt compelled to release birthday pictures to show online images were fake.

Politics

3 w. ago Esther Rantzen's daughter blasts sickening fake AI photos showing star in coma

The former That's Life host Esther Rantzen is battling lung cancer. Her daughter has blasted cruel trolls who put up fake AI photos online.

Culture

3 w. ago Esther Rantzen's daughter blasts 'disgusting' fake images of 85 year old circulated in death hoax that left her 'appalled'

TV presenter Rebecca Wilcox (pictured), 45, the second of the 85-year-old journalist's three children, spoke about the ordeal on today's episode of BBC One Morning Live.

Events

3 w. ago Esther Rantzen's daughter forced to share pics of her cancer battle live on TV after 'disgusting' fake images of 85 year old are posted in hoax that left her 'appalled'

TV presenter Rebecca Wilcox (pictured), 45, the second of the 85-year-old journalist's three children, spoke about the ordeal on today's episode of BBC One Morning Live.

Events

3 w. ago Esther Rantzen's daughter appalled by sickening fake photos claiming to show star in coma

The former That's Life host Esther Rantzen is battling lung cancer and now has to put up with fake photos online as well, as her daughter has blasted the cruel trolling

Culture

3 w. ago Esther Rantzen speaks of ‘enormous relief’ after MPs backed assisted dying Bill

Dame Esther said it is important that patients with terminal illnesses can make their own choices.

Events

3 w. ago Streeting: Assisted dying will take ‘time and money that is in short supply’

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said there is no budget for the assisted dying service, indicating cash might have to come from ‘trade-offs’ elsewhere.

Events

3 w. ago Senedd denied veto over whether assisted dying becomes legal in Wales

The new bill would allow those aged over 18 and with less than six months to live to receive medical assistance to die

Events

3 w. ago Dame Esther Rantzen urges Lords not to block assisted dying legislation

The Terminally Ill Adults (End Of Life) Bill cleared the Commons with a majority of 23 votes, but opponents have vowed to continue their resistance in the unelected chamber

Events

3 w. ago Peers clash with Esther Rantzen over plans to delay and change assisted dying bill

The TV personality’s appeal for the House of Lords to not hold up Kim Leadbeater’s assisted dying legislation has been met with scorn

Events

3 w. ago Rantzen warns peers not to hamper progress of assisted dying law

Dame Esther Rantzen said peers should scrutinise but not oppose the legislation, which cleared the Commons on Friday.

Events

3 w. ago Opponents of assisted dying vow to fight on as MPs back Bill

Kim Leadbeater’s Bill passed what could be its final Commons hurdle by 23 votes.

Events

3 w. ago MPs voting to legalise assisted dying is a momentous day for choice

The House of Commons decision to pass Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) bill marks a historic step towards giving people the right to make fundamental decisions about their own lives – as well as how to end them

Events

3 w. ago Assisted dying law closer but MPs’ support narrows in historic vote

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill has cleared the Commons and will now move to the Lords.

Politics

3 w. ago Voices: My husband wanted to go to Dignitas: the new assisted dying bill wouldn’t have helped him

As the right-to-die legislation passes its final Commons hurdle, Mary Dejevsky explains how it falls far short of helping those who might have been pinning their hopes on it, namely people like her late partner with chronic progressive conditions such as Parkinson’s disease

Events

3 w. ago GMB's Kate Garraway makes heartbreaking admission about late husband Derek Draper

Kate Garraway has made a devastating confession about her late husband Derek Draper, who died in January 2024, as the GMB presenter discussed the Assisted Dying Bill

Events

4 w. ago Esther Rantzen and terminally ill preacher make case for assisted dying Bill

The House of Commons will vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on Friday, which will see it either progress to the Lords or fall.

Events