Third of Britons have seriously wished death on someone, poll finds

Survey also finds three-quarters are comfortable talking about their own deaths in marked cultural shift

For several years Alison lay awake at night wishing her husband dead. Trapped in a miserable marriage, her preference was for a straightforward heart attack or massive stroke. But she also fantasised about a car crash or a fishbone getting stuck in his throat.

I thought death would be a good outcome," she said. I'd be free, yet everyone would feel sorry for me." Eventually the couple went through an acrimonious divorce, but both remain in good health.