Key facts
- Esther Rantzen, known for presenting That's Life! and founding Childline, has died aged 86.
- She was a prominent campaigner for child welfare, assisted dying, organ donation, and bullying prevention.
- Childline was founded in 1986 after Rantzen featured child abuse incidents on That's Life!.
- In 2013, Rantzen founded The Silver Line to combat loneliness among older people.
- She had been terminally ill with lung cancer and had previously joined Dignitas, the Swiss assisted dying clinic.
Tributes have been paid to Dame Esther Rantzen, the "inspirational" presenter and campaigner, who died on Wednesday at the age of 86. Rantzen was known for presenting the BBC consumer show That's Life! for 21 years and for her extensive campaigning work.
Shaun Friel, director of Childline, the children's helpline she founded in the 1980s, described her as "an inspirational individual" and "quite a force" as a campaigner. He noted her "great mind" and "natural journalistic ability", adding that her legacy with Childline "changed how society looked upon children."
Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that the veteran broadcaster had "changed countless lives". BBC director general Matt Brittin called her a "legend of British broadcasting" whose contribution to public life was "immeasurable", highlighting her "warmth, spirit and fight for justice."
Martin Lewis, a broadcaster and money saving expert, described Rantzen as an "inspiration" and a "pioneer". Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the NSPCC, which runs Childline, said she had gone to "exceptional lengths to ensure children and young people across the UK had somewhere to turn."
Rantzen established Childline in 1986 after highlighting incidents of child abuse and neglect on That's Life!, realizing children lacked support. Childline merged with the NSPCC in 2006. In 2013, she founded The Silver Line to help combat isolation and loneliness in older people. Her campaigning also extended to safety, organ donation, bullying, and the legalisation of assisted dying.
She had been terminally ill with lung cancer. Rantzen had revealed she joined Dignitas, the Swiss assisted dying clinic, but recently stated she was too frail to travel. Burnham admired her "characteristic courage and openness" in discussing her illness. Labour MP Kim Leadbeater described her as a "wonderful mix of strength and feistiness, but also really deep compassion and kindness."
Baroness Jan Royall, a friend and former leader of the House of Lords, called Rantzen "formidable", "extraordinary", and "compassionate", noting her "zest for life" drove her to improve lives through her various initiatives. Bill Buckley, her co-presenter on That's Life!, said "nothing would stop her" when campaigning. Elaine Paige, a West End star, also paid tribute to her as a "great broadcaster, journalist and campaigner."
Anton Du Beke, who partnered Rantzen on Strictly Come Dancing, praised her "breadth of knowledge and passion" and called her "the ultimate breaker of the glass ceiling". Davina McCall wrote on Instagram that Rantzen had "made the world a better place, and inspired so many of us to do better and live life to its fullest."
Amol Rajan, a presenter, described her as "an inspirational, strong woman ahead of her time" who "changed the course of millions of lives."