Dame Esther Rantzen, TV Icon & Childline Founder, Dies at 86
Dame Esther Rantzen, TV Icon & Childline Founder, Dies at 86
Farewell to a legend! Dame Esther Rantzen, the beloved "That's Life!" presenter and founder of Childline, has passed away at 86. Celebrate her incredible legacy of campaigning for children, the elderly, and assisted dyin
A broadcasting legend and tireless campaigner, Dame Esther Rantzen, has passed away at the age of 86. Her family announced her death on Wednesday, paying tribute to a "most wonderful mother" and "cherished grandmother" whose compassion will continue to inspire.
Dame Esther became a household name for presenting the BBC's iconic show That's Life! for 21 years, from 1973 to 1994. The programme, known for its unique blend of serious consumer investigations and light-hearted segments, regularly drew an audience of 20 million viewers. It famously featured talking dogs, "Jobsworth Awards," and groundbreaking campaigns addressing issues like child abuse and organ transplants.
One of its most memorable moments was in 1988, when she surprised Sir Nicholas Winton by introducing him to survivors he had saved from the Holocaust.
Beyond her television career, Dame Esther dedicated her life to philanthropy.
In 1986, she founded Childline, a vital British counselling service offering support to children and young people. Her commitment to helping vulnerable individuals extended to the elderly when she launched Silver Line in 2013, aimed at combating isolation and loneliness among older people.
In recent years, Dame Esther became a prominent and courageous advocate for the legalisation of assisted dying. Diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in January 2023, she openly discussed her plans to join Dignitas, the Swiss assisted dying clinic. However, she later revealed that she was too physically fragile to make the journey, using her experience to renew her plea for a change in the law.
She strongly believed the law "must change and change quickly," actively campaigning ahead of the latest parliamentary debate on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.
Her illustrious career began at BBC radio as a sound effects assistant before she transitioned to television as a researcher, producer, and director. She first gained recognition as a researcher and reporter for Braden's Week before becoming the formidable and fun-loving figurehead of That's Life! Her influence wasn't limited to current affairs; she also appeared on popular shows like Strictly Come Dancing and I'm a Celebrity...
Get Me Out of Here!
Dame Esther was married to documentary film-maker Desmond Wilcox from 1977 until his death in 2000, and they had three children. Her profound impact on society was formally recognised in 2015 when she was made a Dame for her outstanding services to children and older people.
The Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, acknowledged her immense contribution, stating that she "changed countless lives." Her legacy of humour, ingenuity, and audacity, coupled with her unwavering compassion, will undoubtedly continue to inspire generations.
