A former TV sports presenter who has terminal cancer will make an emotional plea to MPs about the need for assisted dying reform at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference this Sunday.

Sophie Blake, from Brighton, will speak about the need to protect families from the “anguish of seeing their loved ones suffer through a painful and undignified death”. 

(Image: Dignity in Dying)

Sophie worked for Channel 5 and on Sky Sports' speedway coverage. 

She was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2020, which has since spread to her lungs, liver, and pelvic bone.

The 51-year-old is allergic to opioid painkillers and fears the day when her condition may leave her in “excruciating pain, with no legal option to end her suffering on her own terms”.

Her greatest concern is the impact on her 17-year-old daughter, Maya, whom she does not want to see suffer in her final days. 

Sophie will be speaking at a conference fringe event titled Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults: the next great liberal reform, held at 1pm in the Empress Room at Brighton’s The Grand hotel. The panel will be chaired by Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain and speakers will include Christine Jardine MP and senior GP, Professor Aneez Esmail. Dignity in Dying will also have an exhibitor stall for the duration of the conference to talk to people about their campaign an assisted dying law.

Sophie said: “I might not need assisted dying, but if I do, then I 100 per cent want the choice to say ‘I can’t tolerate this level of pain, I want to be able to die at home and have my loved ones with me'. I should have that right. It should be my choice not to suffer.” 

Prior to the General Election, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Greens all made manifesto commitments on assisted dying, with Sir Keir Starmer making a personal pledge to make time available for debate. The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill is set for a historic Second Reading on November 15, marking the first debate on assisted dying in the new Parliament.