Dame Esther Rantzen: A presenter who campaigned for change
Veteran broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen has died at the age of 86 following a battle with lung cancer. Known for her work on 'That's Life!' and founding Childline, she spent her final years campaigning for assisted dying legislation.
Why it matters
Rantzen was a significant cultural figure in the UK whose advocacy work influenced public discourse on end-of-life care.
Veteran broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen dies aged 86 Close Dame Esther Rantzen, known for her role presenting the BBC's That's Life! and for later establishing the Childline helpline, has died at the age of 86.
Her children confirmed her death in a statement, saying: "We are grateful she is finally at rest with her beloved husband, Desmond Wilcox, but we will miss her immeasurably."
"We hope the humour, ingenuity and audacity she brought to her work may continue to inspire you as it will do us."
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