DAME ESTHER RANTZEN DIES AT 86 — FAMILY REMEMBERS HER AS A “WONDERFUL MOTHER” AND CHERISHED GRANDMOTHER

Dame Esther Rantzen, the much-loved British television broadcaster, journalist and campaigner, has died at the age of 86.

Her family confirmed her death on Wednesday, September 30, saying she died surrounded by loved ones at her home in the New Forest.

In a deeply emotional tribute, her three children — Miriam, Rebecca and Joshua Wilcox — remembered their mother as “the most wonderful mother” and a “cherished grandmother” to her five grandchildren.

“Our adored mother, Dame Esther Rantzen, died today,” they said.

Her children described her as “our sunshine” and said they would always remember her “endless capacity for joy,” her ability to comfort others, her beautiful way with words and her guidance throughout their lives.

“We have been so lucky for so long; no matter how much time we had with Mum, it could never be enough,” they said.

A FAMILIAR FACE ON BRITISH TELEVISION

Rantzen became a household name as the presenter of the BBC programme That’s Life!, which she hosted from 1973 to 1994.

The programme became one of Britain’s most popular television shows, combining consumer investigations, serious social issues, human-interest stories and humour.

During its long run, That’s Life! investigated issues ranging from consumer safety to organ donation and other social concerns, helping turn Rantzen into one of the country’s most recognisable broadcasters. Reuters reported that the programme regularly attracted audiences of between 15 million and 20 million viewers.

But her influence extended far beyond television.

SHE CREATED CHILDLINE

In 1986, Rantzen founded Childline, a confidential service for children and young people who needed someone to talk to about abuse, unhappiness, relationships and other problems.

The idea emerged after a television programme about the death of a young child prompted an overwhelming response from viewers, including children contacting the temporary helpline to disclose abuse.

Childline went on to become one of Britain’s best-known sources of support for children.

Her family said her work supporting children, older people and terminally ill people had meant the world to her.

Rantzen later established The Silver Line, a service aimed at helping older people experiencing loneliness and isolation.

Through those organisations, her influence reached far beyond the television audience that had known her for decades.

A FINAL CHAPTER DEFINED BY COURAGE AND CANDOUR

Rantzen announced in 2023 that she had been diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer.

She subsequently became one of the most prominent British public figures campaigning for changes to assisted-dying laws.

In September 2026, she revealed that she had abandoned plans to travel to Switzerland to use the services of Dignitas because she had become too physically fragile to make the journey.

She explained that when she had been physically strong enough to travel, her illness had not yet caused unbearable suffering. By the time her condition became much worse, she was no longer physically able to make the trip.

Her openness about cancer and end-of-life decisions made her a prominent voice in one of Britain’s most difficult public debates.

HER FINAL FAREWELL

After her death, a final message from Rantzen was released in which she thanked the people who had supported her throughout her life.

“Sadly, all good things come to an end,” she wrote.

She ended with the poignant words: “Perhaps I will see you eventually, on the other side. I do hope so.”

The farewell gave her supporters one final glimpse of the warmth and directness that had characterised her public life.

TRIBUTES POUR IN

Tributes quickly followed the announcement of her death.

Broadcaster Lorraine Kelly described Rantzen as a “pioneer and a force of nature,” while Davina McCall said she had “made the world a better place” and inspired generations of women.

Martin Lewis called her an “inspiration” and a “pioneer,” while Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke remembered her as a wonderful friend and mentor.

The NSPCC, which runs Childline, said Rantzen had left an “extraordinary legacy” and had helped millions of children through the service she founded.

Andy Burnham also paid tribute, saying she had changed countless lives and given a voice to people who often went unheard.

“SHE WAS OUR SUNSHINE”

For the public, Esther Rantzen will be remembered as a pioneering broadcaster who used television to highlight issues affecting ordinary people.

For her family, however, her greatest legacy was much more personal.

She was a mother of three, a grandmother of five and, in the words of her children, their “sunshine.”

Her family said they were grateful that she was now at rest with her beloved husband, Desmond Wilcox, but added that they would “miss her immeasurably.”

They also hoped the humour, ingenuity and audacity she brought to her work would continue to inspire others.

Dame Esther Rantzen leaves behind a remarkable television career, charities that continue her work and generations of people whose lives were touched by her campaigning.

But perhaps the most moving tribute came from the three children who knew her away from the cameras — a woman whose greatest gift, they said, was her “endless capacity for joy.”