Charity staff 'deeply saddened' by death of Dame Esther Rantzen
Dame Esther Rantzen, the founder of Childline and Silver Line, has passed away at age 86. Tributes are pouring in for the broadcaster and campaigner, who is remembered for her significant contributions to child welfare and elderly support.
Why it matters
Rantzen's death marks the loss of a major public figure whose charitable work fundamentally changed social support systems in the UK.
Image source, PA Media Image caption, Dame Esther Rantzen "changed countless lives", said Prime Minister Andy Burnham
A manager at Childline Liverpool has paid tribute to the charity's "wonderful" founder Dame Esther Rantzen.
Dame Esther, who presented BBC One's show That's Life! for 21 years and launched the charity counselling service for young people 40 years ago, died on Wednesday at the age of 86.
Dame Esther hosted and produced the programme from 1973 to 1994 which regularly attracted 20m viewers for its mix of serious consumer investigations and light-hearted items.
Marian Blackburn, a team leader at Childline Liverpool, said the star was "kind, compassionate and formidable" and everyone was "deeply saddened" at the news.
Dame Esther launched Childline in 1986 and in 2013 set up Silver Line to help elderly people suffering from isolation and loneliness.
Also covering this story
4 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Dame Esther Rantzen: That's Life! presenter, Childline founder and campaigner for assisted dying
British broadcaster Esther Rantzen dies aged 86
From Childline to changing TV for ever: Esther Rantzen’s revolutionary life
Andy Burnham says Esther Rantzen 'changed countless lives' as tributes pour in after TV star's death
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