Mr McNamara has been now told he is paralysed from the neck down.

BBC: JT McNamara: Paralysed jockey 'planned to retire'

Father-of-two Mr Nicklinson, who was paralysed from the neck down, had been refusing food and contracted pneumonia after he was left "crestfallen" by the court's decision.

BBC: Tony Nicklinson

Mrs Pretty, who is paralysed from the neck down, has to be fed through a tube, and uses a computer attached to her wheelchair to communicate.

BBC: Right-to-die case fast-tracked