The Church of England has been accused of “dumbing down” the baptism service, one of the cornerstones of the faith, by changing its wording so parents and godparents no longer have to “repent sins” and “reject the devil”.

WRITER Terry Pratchett said that watching a man being helped to die had reaffirmed his support for assisted suicide, while anti-euthanasia groups criticised the televised death as propaganda that could encourage copycat suicides.