Dame Esther Rantzen says she has "limited time" left to live, but that heaven would be a "happy place" if she could be reunited with one special person. The 84-year-old, who founded Childline, opened up on her poignant dying wish in a new interview.

It's been a quarter of a century since she lost beloved husband Desmond Wilcox to a heart attack, but her love for him has endured through the decades, and the idea of an afterlife which would reunite them is keeping her going. She told The Times: "If there is a heaven, it would be a very happy place. It's a lovely idea to meet Desmond again and all those I have loved and lost — my parents and grandparents, my close friends and family." Just over a decade ago, the emotional presenter had admitted she'd gladly sacrifice a decade of her life if it meant she could have her husband back by her side for just ten minutes.

The pair had first met back in the 1960s, when he was her head of department at the BBC, and went on to have a 30 year marriage.

She recalled nostalgically that Desmond’s last words to her on his deathbed were ''I adore you'' - and she'll take that sentiment "to the grave".

Her love for him clearly hasn't faded in all the years since his death, and everything they shared has been of comfort to her as she battles with her health.

She received a diagnosis of stage four lung cancer just two years ago and at one point had feared medical advice suggesting she had just weeks to live.

Last year, she shared news of a miracle drug which she hoped could prolong her life, but those hopes have now been dashed.

Last month, in an emotional interview with 5 News, Esther's daughter confirmed that the medication doesn't appear to be improving her condition anymore.

She told host Julian Druker of how she and her mum are keen for assisted dying to be legalised in the UK, exclaiming: "The fact that [my mum] doesn't know how her death is going to happen, how the pain is going to progress, the exhaustion, the fatigue, what symptoms are going to come in... she is a person who has fought her whole life for other people, and she has no control now.

"Why can't we give people like my mum with a terminal diagnosis, with no other choice, some choice as to when and how and where they die?"