'Devastating and inspiring': Emotional outpouring after 1.2 million viewers watch the heartbreaking moment a British father took his own life at a Swiss suicide clinic with his wife at his side

Viewers today described being left in floods of tears as they watched a controversial BBC film documenting the death of a British father at a Swiss assisted suicide clinic.

More than 1.2million watched as businessman Simon Binner played a poignant last message to his wife Debbie from his deathbed before turning on the drip that killed him.

Many watching were left distraught as the motor neurone disease sufferer administered the life-ending drugs with a smile on his face. 

Broadcaster Clare Balding tweeted she was 'sitting here sobbing' watching Mr Binner's final moments while ITV presenter Fiona Phillips said his case proved assisted suicide can be 'valid'. 

Radio 2 and Strictly Come Dancing star Jeremy Vine said it was 'devastating' to watch his death and Gabby Logan said she was 'emotionally shattered' by the film. 

The BBC had planned to show footage featuring Simon's lifeless body at the assisted suicide clinic in Basel, Switzerland, but was forced to make last minute changes to the harrowing documentary. 

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Documentary: Gripping his wife's, this is the heart-breaking moment 57-year-old Simon Binner took his own life at an assisted suicide clinic after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease

The heart-breaking documentary showed the businessman administering the drugs by flicking this switch which ended his life, before cutting to a black screen

Simon Binner's wife, Debbie, (pictured in the show) told MailOnline it was a 'beautiful documentary' and said she hopes it sparks a 'grown-up debate'. Many praised her on social media for bravely supporting her husband's decision

The documentary does not show the moment of death but it does show the clinic's staff placing Simon in a coffin and screwing on the lid (pictured) 

Despite the controversy about the documentary the BBC has received fewer than 10 complaints and broadcasting watchdog Ofcom has not received any. 

The film shows Simon gripping his wife's hand tightly with a smile across his face as he took his own life. 

The scenes were described by viewers as 'the saddest they had ever seen', but even more controversial footage showing his life ebb away was cut at the last minute after the BBC came under pressure from the Samaritans.

The BBC had planned to show footage featuring Simon's lifeless body at the assisted suicide clinic in Basel, Switzerland, but was forced to make last minute changes to the harrowing documentary.

After bowing to pressure from the charity, the Corporation decided to edit out footage of his corpse, as well as scenes detailing the drugs he used to kill himself on October 19 last year.

As the documentary - How to Die: Simon's Choice - was aired on BBC Two last night, viewers took to social media to describe the show as deeply distressing and 'difficult but important' viewing.  

Many praised Simon's bravery and the strength of his wife who supported him until his dying day.

Julia Strong wrote: 'Cried all the way through this but what an inspiring man Simon was, living life to the full and knowing what was right for him.'

Joe Trigg said: 'Just saw @BBCTwo's #SimonsChoice. Not been so upset over a TV show in years. I am in awe at the bravery of Simon, his family and his friends.'

TV presenter Michael Underwood wrote: 'Simon's wife is so strong it's breaking my heart. When he's gone, she'll be left to live. So so sad. Incredible documentary. #simonschoice'

Adam Callinan said: 'The most emotional thing I've ever watched. Fantastic documentary.'

Richard Hellyar ‏wrote: 'Extremely gut wrenching, thought provoking programme on assisted dying. Such articulate and ultimately strong people #simonschoice' 

Sally Shearing said: 'Possibly the saddest thing I have ever watched, in floods of tears, both Simon and especially his wife were so very brave #simonschoice' 

And another user added: 'I just watched possibly the saddest programme I've ever seen. I urge everyone to watch it, so hard to watch but so important #simonschoice.'

Reaction: Stars spoke of being moved to tears by Simon's story, which has been well received online

The heart-wrenching documentary followed Simon Binner's journey from his diagnosis of motor neurone disease last summer to his death just a few months later on October 19.

The cameras followed him around as he enjoyed a final few months with friends and family, and also gave an insight into the deeply distressing life of a terminally ill patient deciding to take their life.

After following his journey right up until the point of him arriving at the suicide clinic, the footage showed Simon enjoying a final farewell meal with his family and friends on the eve of his death. They toasted him and told him he was a 'top bloke'.

It then showed him taking his own life on Monday, October 19, at 9.38am while surrounded by his wife and four friends. His daughters, Hannah and Zoe, were not present at the time of his death.

In deeply traumatic scenes, he could be seen – dressed in a smart chequered shirt – lying on a bed at the suicide clinic, holding his wife's hand, as a pre-recorded message played out around the room. 

In it, he told his wife: 'Hi Debbie, it's Simon here, I've loved you very, very much Debbie. I haven't deserved you or Hannah or Zoe. Such loving and caring young ladies, and I've been such a grumpy gruffalo for much of the time.

'But I really love you Debbie. We've had such a fun and laughter-filled marriage, we were really blessed to have found one another.

'The one blessing of a slow decline is that we've had time to speak about things over 10 long months, not like losing me in a car smash.

'We've really said everything that needs to be said. You've been a truly fantastic wife to me Debbie and I know that you loved me and I've loved you.

'Anyway, time and tide wait for no man, I love you very much Debbie. Goodbye.' 

As the message came to a close, he could be seen administering the life-ending drugs in highly upsetting footage - which MailOnline has decided not to repeat.

The film then cut to a black screen before a coffin was wheeled into the room. His wife could be seen embracing friends as they left the assisted suicide clinic.

The heart-wrenching scenes were cut short just before the controversial programme went to air after the BBC came under pressure from the Samaritans.

The charity raised concerns that the Corporation may fall foul of guidelines that prevent broadcasters from giving detailed guidance about suicide methods.

Among the footage to be deleted from an earlier preview of the documentary, which was broadcast to journalists, was Simon's lifeless body following his death and a description by staff at the Eternal Spirit clinic of how the anaesthetic used to end his life affects the human body.

In heart-breaking scenes, the documentary showed family members saying their final goodbyes to Simon as he prepared to board his flight to the Swiss assisted suicide clinic from a London airport days before his death

The documentary showed Simon enjoying a final farewell meal with his family and friends on the eve of his death. They toasted him as they told him he was a 'top bloke' during his last meal in Switzerland in October

Holding the device to administer the drug which will eventually kill him in one hand (left), Simon used his mobile phone to play a final voice recording to his wife of 14 years Debbie in which he told her how much he loved her

The documentary, which has come under fire from charities who branded it 'deeply disturbing', was supported by Simon's wife, who praised the film and said she hopes it sparks a 'grown-up debate'.

Speaking to MailOnline yesterday, she said: 'It's all a bit much at the moment. But what I will say is that it's a beautiful documentary. We have done it to show the complexities of the argument'.

When asked whether she accepted criticism of her husband's decision to film his death, which he had previously announced on LinkedIn, the 51-year-old said: 'It's not a black and white issue'.

She added: 'People get these illnesses. It can happen to anyone. It's so important to have a debate.

'I'm not telling anybody what to do we just wanted to show the complex issues and use our experience to help move on the debate'. 

The documentary began with a home video showing Simon in a hotel room during a holiday with his wife to celebrate their fourteenth wedding anniversary.

In the footage, she could be heard asking him if he is having a nice time with him only able to communicate by putting his thumbs up to the camera and smiling – having lost his speech to the disease.

Other heart-breaking scenes show him reuniting with his friends, many of whom he knew for more than 40 years, and show him struggling to communicate with them at a dinner party due to his lack of speech.

He informed them of his decision to end his life with a text message, having decided as he drove home from the hospital following his diagnosis.

The message to his close friends read: 'I am booked to die now on Monday 2 November. Thank you for bringing the annual Christ College reunion forward on my account.'

Telling the camera of his wish to end his life at an assisted suicide clinic, he said: 'I totally understand how some people are vulnerable and they must never be pushed into this road of assisted dying but I ascertain this. 

'I am in a different category, I have thought it through and I want to die. I'm heading downhill.’ 

The BBC was forced to make last minute changes to harrowing documentary How To Die: Simon's Choice after bowing to pressure from the Samaritans. Pictured: Simon Binner being helped by a nurse in the film

Other footage to be deleted from an earlier preview broadcast to journalists included a description by staff at the Eternal Spirit clinic, in Basel, of how the anaesthetic used to end Mr Binner's life affected the human body

However, many of his friends expressed their concerns about his decision to take his life, with some suggesting he made the choice 'too early'.

One former school friend said: 'He seems to be checking out ahead of his time and I'm not entirely comfortable with his decision.'

Another friend, Dr Simon Sandberg, said: 'We are actually all feeling distraught. We have sustained a very close set of friendships all this time. And he is utterly central to our group. I have cried every time I have seen him for the last few months.'

He added: 'We are all crushed. How can one be reconciled to someone who is so great taking themselves off at [that] age and killing themselves. I think he has chosen a date which is too soon.'

Reading out an email he sent to Simon, he said: ‘Bins I know you feel strongly about it but I do feel that setting a date in advance is potentially deeply problematic.

‘Debs has real qualms about you choosing a date in advance, and that worries me too. Debbie has rights in this.'

He added: 'If Debbie was more resolute, that would make it a much more difficult matter for all of us.' 

Throughout his decline, Simon still showed the humour for which he was loved by his family and friends.

Just two months prior to his death, he arranged a party at his home with friends playing 'hoop the cone'. He even joked to one friend that he had been nominated CBTO for the day – 'Chief Bins Transportation Officer' in an attempt to make light of his deteriorating mobility.

The documentary showed the family struggling to come to terms with Simon's decision, with him even admitting at one point that he was reconsidering the decision to end his life.

Debbie told the camera: 'Firstly, I don't think it's the right thing to do, and two – more importantly - I don't think he really wants to go. In him reconsidering, we suddenly have hope again.' 

In another scene, she said: 'He's giving mixed messages and I think we need to explore another way.

'When the assisted bill got voted down, I was pleased. It's kind of a vote of the sanctity of human life. I want to look really, really carefully at what's on offer. Simon can tell me to bugger off, it's his life, but that's how I feel.'

Simon uses a machine to help him communicate with his family after losing his speech due to the disease

Simon was seen at various points during the documentary communicating by writing his thoughts down on a pad of paper. In one touching note, he wrote about his fears of losing his mobility to motor neurone disease

Twitter users described the BBC Two documentary as 'gut wrenching' and 'thought-provoking' but deeply sad

In the footage, taken in September, the camera panned to Simon, who confirmed he was reconsidering his decision to end his life on November 2.

He wrote on a piece of paper: 'I thought they'd be indifferent to the timing of my demise. I was so wrong. If I was single, I'd be gone. Definitely. But I'm not single and I have responsibilities to others that I am only now fully beginning to understand.'

He later told the camera: 'I'll be totally unable to communicate soon. Losing my voice is bad but none is terrible.'

Capturing the frustration of his disease, in one moving scene he could be seen writing a note on a piece of paper. It said: 'I'm having a care worker help me shower and dress next week. I hate it. Humiliation, helplessness and above all, unmanly.'

As the documentary progressed, it became more and more evident how the disease was tormenting Simon. Ultimately, it led to him attempting to hang himself at his home in Purley, Surrey, in October.

At that point, he and his wife agreed that they would prefer for him to travel to Switzerland and end his life at an assisted dying clinic than attempt to kill himself again at home.

It was also the moment Simon decided to bring the date to end his life forward to October 19, from the previously scheduled date of November 2. 

The documentary began Simon getting ready in a hotel room during a trip away with his wife to celebrate their fourteenth wedding anniversary. He had to use a 'thumbs up' to communicate with her after losing his speech

In footage taken on the day before Simon's death, he can be seen arriving at the airport in London ahead of his flight to Switzerland. He is accompanied by his wife Debbie and friends, Dr Sandberg, Mike, Elizabeth and Will

Speaking of the decision to support her husband's wish to take his own life, Debbie told the camera: 'I know before I fought a battle so hard but he's made it clear that he doesn't want to carry on with his life.

'I feel furious, tender, loving, protective, so pleased I married him and I will miss him terribly.

'He's terribly sad. And we love each other but I think at the end of the day, if you love someone, you have to do what they want to do.

'And I think we have got to the point where when Simon does die, it won't take away what we've had. It will be there still and I am so glad I met him.' 

The camera then shows the family hosting a final farewell lunch party the Friday prior to his death.

Loved ones rally around the businessman as he says his final goodbyes to those who won't accompany him to Switzerland.

Confirming he believes his decision to end his own life is the right one, Simon writes on a piece of paper: 'I would only last until January 2016 anyway. Not even 1% scared. I'm 0% scared. It will be a relief.'

The footage then shows him travelling to the airport with his wife Debbie and four friends he chose to accompany him to the assisted dying clinic - Dr Sandberg, Mike, Elizabeth and Will.

Just two months prior to his death, Simon arranged a party at his home with friends playing 'hoop the cone'. He even joked to one friend that he had been nominated CBTO for the day – 'Chief Bins Transportation Officer' in an attempt to make light of his deteriorating mobility

On the eve of his death, Simon is seen going through the final checks with a staff member at the Swiss clinic

After the distressing scenes showing Simon taking his life, the documentary throws forward to two weeks later where Debbie ponders to the camera over whether she did enough for her husband and how she is now coping

The five enjoy a final meal together in Switzerland on the eve of Simon's death before the documentary shows the harrowing scenes of his last moments.

It then throws forward to two weeks later, and shows his wife Debbie walking the family dog.

Recalling the moment her husband took his own life, she said: 'I remember Simon dying and I know he played a tape but I don't remember the tape. I remember the tenderness I felt towards him, I got him ready in the morning.

'I vaguely remember being on the plane… that's about it. We were just trying to get through it. What we had to go through to end his life, it was extraordinarily difficult. I feel I'm still in shock and in trauma. Someone is there one minute and not the next.'

She added: 'I haven't got the words to express how big a deal it is. I am missing him, I yearn for him. I am guilty that somehow I couldn't have made his life easier. Did I do enough? Did I do enough to make his life worthwhile when he had done so much for me over the years?'

The footage also heard from his mother, Jean, who showed the camera a note he wrote to her prior to his death. It read: 'It's sad but it's for the best. Thank you for being my mum.'

The documentary concluded with Simon's funeral, in which his long-time friend Dr Sandberg paid tribute by saying: 'I think we can say without contradiction that we will never know anyone like him.'

The one hour and 30 minute show then finished with touching footage of Simon dancing carefree in his kitchen as music plays in the background and his dog jumps up and down on him. 

Debbie Binner said the BBC documentary showing the death of her husband Simon Binner (pictured together) in a Swiss suicide clinic last year is 'beautiful'. She was widely praised on social media for supporting Simon

Since the documentary's screening was announced there has been anger over the decision to show it at all

It is the first time footage from inside the Eternal Spirit Foundation assisted suicide clinic in Switzerland - the second biggest after Dignitas - has been shown on British television.

Critics said the decision to screen the moment of Simon's death was particularly alarming, as it risks encouraging others to take their own lives by 'normalising' assisted suicide, which remains illegal under UK law.

Alistair Thompson, spokesman for Care Not Killing, a campaign group that promotes end-of-life care and opposes assisted suicide, described the documentary as 'deeply disturbing'.

'It raises serious concerns for us,' he adds. 'Showing scenes like that on national television risks skewing what people think about assisted suicide and sidelines the alternatives, such as hospice and palliative care.

'It gives the impression that if you're disabled or terminally ill your life is somehow worthless and you should kill yourself. Suicide is the biggest killer of young men in this country and the more it is normalised, the more people will think of it as a way out.

'We should do everything we can to stop suicide, not advertise it.'

However, the BBC denied it was promoting euthanasia.

A spokesman said: 'This is a sensitive observational documentary following one family's experience of assisted death, which explores some of the complex questions at the heart of this deeply divisive issue. 

'The film does not serve to support either argument or intend to wholly represent the debate.'

The businessman appeared to announce the date for his death on social networking site LinkedIn last year

Simon's final, precious moments, on the morning of October 19 last year, were shared only with those he cared for the most in the world: his wife, Debbie, pictured (right) with Simon (far right and left), sister Elizabeth and three of his closest friends

It isn't the first time the BBC has come under fire for giving airtime to the subject.

In 2011, it was deemed a 'cheerleader for assisted suicide' after screening a documentary on the subject fronted by Sir Terry Pratchett. He began to speak out in favour of assisted dying following his own diagnosis of Alzheimer's — the disease he died from last March.

'A programme like this will romanticise assisted death and dying,' said MP Nadine Dorries. 'It is pushing back a moral boundary.'

The same criticisms were levelled in 2014, when The Dilemma, starring Olivia Colman as a woman who prepares a lethal drug for her ill mother, was broadcast — without the BBC informing viewers that assisted suicide is against the law.

Indeed, last September, an historic vote in the House of Commons saw the controversial Assisted Dying Bill blocked by a majority of MPs.

Michael Wenham, a campaigner who has motor neurone disease himself, says he is frustrated by the BBC's apparent bias. 'There seems to be to be a constant disposition to focus nationally on stories of people ending their own lives,' he says. 'To focus on these stories can induce an atmosphere of fear and hopelessness.' 

To talk to someone confidentially, call the Samaritans on 116 123. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Alternatively, visit their website.