Dame Esther Rantzen remembered as 'inspirational' broadcaster and campaigner who transformed countless lives

Dame Esther Rantzen, the veteran broadcaster whose career spanned decades and whose activism reshaped how Britain confronts child welfare and end-of-life issues, has died at the age of 86. Her death was announced on Wednesday, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across the worlds of broadcasting, politics and charity.

The director of Childline, the helpline Dame Esther established in the 1980s, described her as an "inspirational individual" and "quite a force" as a campaigner. Shaun Friel told BBC Breakfast that she possessed a rare combination of qualities that allowed her to bring about genuine change. "She inspired people, she energised people, she persuaded people," he said. "She had a great mind and she had obviously that natural journalistic ability."

Prime Minister Andy Burnham led the political tributes, saying the veteran broadcaster had "changed countless lives." His words were echoed by BBC director general Matt Brittin, who called her a "legend of British broadcasting" whose contribution to public life was "immeasurable." Brittin noted that the warmth, spirit and determination for justice that audiences witnessed on screen continued long after her programmes ended, describing a lifetime of campaigning that altered the lives of millions.

Dame Esther was best known for presenting the BBC consumer affairs programme *That's Life!* for 21 years. At its peak, the show drew more than 20 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched programmes in British television history. It combined investigative journalism with entertainment, exposing scams, malpractice and consumer injustices while also covering more serious social issues.

It was through *That's Life!* that Dame Esther first brought public attention to cases of child abuse and neglect. Realising that many children had nowhere to turn for help, she founded Childline in 1986 as a free, confidential telephone helpline. The service merged with the NSPCC in 2006 and remains a vital resource for young people across the UK.

Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the NSPCC, said Dame Esther had gone to "exceptional lengths to ensure children and young people across the UK had somewhere to turn when they were in need of help." Friel added that her legacy was "something quite incredible," explaining that she fundamentally changed how society looked upon children. "When she decided she had a vision or something had to be done or had to be changed, she was quite a force," he said.

Her activism extended well beyond child protection. In 2013, she founded The Silver Line, a helpline dedicated to supporting older people suffering from isolation and loneliness. She also led campaigns on safety, organ donation and bullying, demonstrating a broad commitment to addressing overlooked social problems.

Later in life, Dame Esther became a prominent voice in the campaign to legalise assisted dying. She had been terminally ill with lung cancer and spoke openly about her diagnosis. In 2023, she revealed she had joined Dignitas, the Swiss assisted dying clinic, but last month disclosed she was "too physically fragile to make the journey."

Burnham said he would "always admire the characteristic courage and openness with which she spoke about her illness, making us all think about the difficult questions we face at the end of life." Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP who sponsored the assisted dying bill, told the BBC that Dame Esther was a "wonderful mix of strength and feistiness, but also really deep compassion and kindness," adding that she would continue to inspire campaigners.

Baroness Jan Royall, former leader of the House of Lords and a friend of Dame Esther, told BBC Radio 4's *Today* programme that she was a "formidable" person. "She was an extraordinary, compassionate woman, a passionate woman, and she brought about such change in our world, change for the better," she said. Baroness Royall also noted that Dame Esther had "a wicked sense of humour" and a "zest for life" that drove her efforts to improve people's lives through Silver Line, Childline and the assisted dying campaign.

Tributes also came from the entertainment industry. Martin Lewis, the money saving expert and broadcaster, called Dame Esther an "inspiration" and a "pioneer" whose "impact and memory will long continue to shine." Dame Elaine Paige praised her as a "great broadcaster, journalist and campaigner," highlighting the reach of Childline and The Silver Line in supporting vulnerable people at both ends of the age spectrum.

Bill Buckley, who co-presented *That's Life!* alongside Dame Esther, told BBC Radio 4's *Front Row* that "nothing would stop her" when it came to campaigning. "She saw the light at the end of the tunnel and followed it doggedly," he said. Anton Du Beke, her partner on *Strictly Come Dancing* in 2004, shared a photograph of the pair dancing together and wrote that they had "remained firm friends" ever since. He praised her "breadth of knowledge and passion" and called her "the ultimate breaker of the glass ceiling."

Davina McCall wrote on Instagram that Dame Esther had "made the world a better place, and inspired so many of us to do better and live life to its fullest." Presenter Amol Rajan described her as "an inspirational, strong woman ahead of her time" who "changed the course of millions of lives."

Dame Esther's career was defined not only by her television work but by her willingness to use her platform to address uncomfortable truths. From exposing consumer fraud to championing the rights of children and the elderly, she consistently pushed for reforms that improved lives. Her decision to speak publicly about her own terminal illness and her advocacy for assisted dying reflected the same directness and courage that characterised her journalism.

She leaves behind a legacy of institutions and campaigns that continue to operate and influence policy today. Childline and The Silver Line remain lifelines for those in crisis, while the debate over assisted dying has gained unprecedented parliamentary attention. For those who knew her and those who watched her on screen, Dame Esther Rantzen stands as a reminder of how broadcasting, combined with determined activism, can produce lasting change.