Emmerdale viewers have seen Faith Dingle and her family involved in some incredibly deep scenes in recent weeks as the soap matriarch prepares to say her final goodbyes in upcoming heartbreaking scenes.
Millions have watched Faith’s cancer battle which has impacted the lives of many village favourites. As her final scenes near, feisty Faith is determined to stay in control of her life right up until the end.
Following her terminal cancer diagnosis Faith has remained determined to get the most out of her remaining time. Viewers have seen her driving a fast car around the winding lanes of the Dales and stealing a golf buggy to name a few in recent months.
Read more: Major hints from Emmerdale's 40th anniversary which will shape upcoming milestone
But as her illness has got worse and her health rapidly deteriorated, Faith confided in Moira, played by Natalie J. Robb, that she plans to end her own life before she becomes so ill that she has no control. Viewers will see Faith Dingle's heartbreaking assisted death play out this week.
What fans may not realise is that Faith's assisted death storyline is inspired by the tragic real life story of Britain's Got Talent star, Tina Humphrey, of whose widower has been working closely with Emmerdale producers to ensure the storyline is portrayed realistically.
Steve Jetley, whose wife Tina Humphrey also made the decision to end her own life when she became seriously ill with metastasised melanoma, has been heavily involved in the process following his own experience. In an interview with The Sun, Tina's widower, Steve said: "She said she didn’t want her last moments to be clouded by drugs or unconsciousness. She wanted her wits about her.
“She wanted to be able to hold my hand and tell me she loved me, and for me to tell her the same and to just hold each other. Tina was a very clever, determined woman who knew her own mind and I wanted her to have what she wanted.
"Tina became too ill to travel abroad Dignitas in Switzerland and made preparations to end her life at home." Steve went on to explained that it took her around 15 hours to die.
He said: "I don’t know if Tina suffered or not but it was not the death she wanted. She was unconscious and I could only listen for 15 hours as her breathing grew ragged, then she was gasping. It was terrible. I will never forget those long hours."
It is currently illegal in the UK to assist someone to take their own life, and carries a prison sentence of 14 years. However, since Tina's death Steve now works with charity, 'Dignity In Dying' in their campaign to have the law changed.
Faith Dingle star, Sally Dexter, said it was important that "all sides of this debate needed to be heard and respected" as she spoke of her determination to do the storyline justice. Sally and the Emmerdale team said they were "all extremely moved" by Steve and Tina's story.
She said: "We were all in great awe of the work done by all organisations and charities used for this storyline, I only hope we have done as much justice as we could."
Tina and her blue merle collie dog Chandi came fourth in Britain’s Got Talent in 2012. Chandi also won four Crufts finals and she and Tina also won first prize in Graham Norton’s When Will I Be Famous. The BGT star also wrote a book about her beloved dog, ‘Chandi: The Rescue Dog Who Stole A Nation’s Heart.’
Read next:
- Emmerdale viewers applaud Aaron's 'no nonsense' takedown despite crying again
- Coleen Nolan's Emmerdale son Jake Roche living in her garage on Universal credit
Win a £50 takeaway voucher to celebrate Strictly Come Dancing return
- Emmerdale's Emma Atkins on 'favourite' character Leah Bracknell she misses the most
- Danny Miller reveals his character Aaron Dingle will be part of 'big' Emmerdale storylines
