Esther Rantzen, TV Presenter and Childline Founder, Dies at 86

Esther Rantzen, the Bafta-winning television presenter and creator of the charity Childline, has died at 86.

Her family described her as “the most wonderful mother” and “cherished grandmother,” whose “legacy of compassion and understanding will live on in her charities Childline and the Silverline, and through those of us who were lucky enough to love and be loved by her.” They added, “We are grateful she is finally at rest with her beloved husband, Desmond Wilcox, but we will miss her immeasurably. She was our sunshine. We will always remember her endless capacity for joy, her ability to comfort every heartache, her beautiful way with words and her expert guidance in all things.”

In 2023, Rantzen revealed a stage four lung cancer diagnosis. She subsequently became an advocate for legislative changes regarding assisted dying. In September 2026, she announced her inability to proceed with plans for an assisted death in Switzerland due to physical frailty. She stated, “Unfortunately, when I was strong enough to make the flight and go to Dignitas, my life was not unbearably painful; indeed, I was able to relax in my beloved cottage in the New Forest. And by the time life did become unbearable, I was too physically fragile to make the journey and go through the Dignitas process.” She concluded, “So even though I had spent the money and made the plans, I was not ready to end my life back then, and did not realise that would be my last chance.”

Prime Minister Andy Burnham remarked, “Very sad to hear that Dame Esther Rantzen has died. Through her decades of campaigning, including founding Childline and The Silver Line, she changed countless lives and gave a voice to people who often went unheard. And I will 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. My thoughts are with her family and all who loved her.”

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who introduced a bill to legalize assisted dying, commented, “Esther was a strong, warm and compassionate woman and a fighter to the end. Her positivity and determination never to give in gave me strength, but more importantly helped all those others like her who were confronting a terminal illness to keep going in the knowledge that they were not alone.”

Born in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, in 1940, Rantzen began her career in 1963 as a BBC radio studio manager. Transitioning to television as a researcher, she became a presenter in 1968 on the consumer affairs show Braden’s Week. She then took the lead role in its successor, That’s Life!, in 1973.

That’s Life!, a program blending consumer advocacy and light entertainment, reached over 20 million viewers at its peak and ran for 21 years with Rantzen as its host. After she proposed an episode on child abuse to the then BBC controller Michael Grade, phone lines were opened for 48 hours, allowing children to contact social workers. The significant response led to the establishment of the children's charity Childline in 1986.

In 1988, Rantzen created Hearts of Gold, a series honoring individuals who performed exceptional acts of kindness. From 1994 until 2002, she hosted her BBC Two chat show, Esther, following the conclusion of That’s Life!. Her television work also included the consumer affairs program Old Dogs New Tricks. She participated in Strictly Come Dancing and the 2008 series of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!. Her contributions to broadcasting earned her an OBE, the Bafta’s Richard Dimbleby award, and a lifetime achievement award at the Women in Film and Television awards.

Rantzen's extensive charity involvement included patron and vice-president roles for numerous organizations. In 2010, she launched The Silver Line, a free confidential helpline for older people, for which she was made a dame for her services to children and the elderly.

She ran as an independent candidate for Luton South in the 2010 general election, securing fourth place. Rantzen authored several books, including a murder-mystery novel. In later years, she was a regular contributor to The One Show and co-hosted a podcast with former That’s Life! colleague Adrian Mills.

Television presenter Anna Williamson described Rantzen on Instagram as “somebody truly iconic, who really cared, and who has left behind one hell of a legacy.” Fellow presenter Lorraine Kelly also paid tribute on social media, calling Rantzen a “pioneer and a force of nature – [who] helped so many people – funny, forthright and fabulous.”

Her husband, Desmond Wilcox, died in 2000. Rantzen is survived by their three children, Miriam, Rebecca, and Joshua, and five grandchildren.