Mike Tindall, the former England rugby international married to Princess Anne's daughter Zara, has opened up about his father Phil's death at the age of 80 following a 25-year battle with Parkinson's disease. The experience has prompted Tindall to become an advocate for assisted dying after witnessing his father's severe suffering in his final months.

Phil Tindall's final three months were particularly challenging, with him barely conscious in the last three weeks. Parkinson's caused progressive spinal curvature that left him bent over and unable to straighten his body, whilst also triggering recurring bowel blockages requiring multiple surgeries. In June, Phil signed a do-not-resuscitate order before admission for another blockage. In his final weeks, he lost the ability to speak and move his arms; about two weeks before his death, he told his son he would die the next day, though he survived another fortnight. Tindall has since criticised MPs who voted against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill this month, which failed by 286 to 270 votes.