Rick Astley plans to control his own death experience

Rick Astley, a renowned pop music artist, recently discussed his unconventional thoughts about death during a podcast interview. While he is currently 58 years old and in good health, he openly shared that he has been contemplating his own mortality. He cited the classic 1960s TV show, 'Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)', expressing a wish to return as a ghost dressed in a white suit, reminiscent of the character Marty Hopkirk. Astley's reflections on life after death reveal a deeper desire to maintain dignity and control over the end of his life rather than leaving it up to fate. Further in the discussion, Astley mentioned a significant perspective he gained from a conversation with someone whose father had chosen assisted dying in Switzerland through Dignitas. He was impressed by the planned and serene nature of that passing, which included shared moments and a clear, mutual agreement on the timing. This experience influenced Astley’s belief that he, too, would prefer to outline the circumstances of his death, aiming for a peaceful and assured farewell. Astley conveyed that he envisions a time in his life when his health deteriorates and he may wish to leave this world, asserting he has lived a fulfilled life and holds no regrets. He highlighted the notion that humans should not be treated differently than animals in terms of choosing when to end their suffering, suggesting that it would be unreasonable to impose prolonged suffering on any living being. The artist emphasized the importance of planning his departure with dignity and respect for himself. Through this reflection, he humorously speculated about the possibility of experiencing a dramatic end, such as a shark attack, while implying that this would be far less preferable than the conscious choice he would rather make. Astley’s comments touch on broader themes surrounding the rights to assisted dying, the cultural handling of mortality, and the human desire to retain agency even in ultimate circumstances.