Piers Morgan has issued a heartfelt tribute to his close friend and broadcasting legend, Dame Esther Rantzen, following her death at the age of 86. The former television presenter died on Wednesday, September 30, after a lengthy battle with lung cancer.
A Life of Campaigning
Dame Esther became a prominent campaigner in her later years, advocating for assisted dying after being diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in 2023. She backed the Express' Give Us Our Last Rights campaign.
In a statement, her family paid tribute to “the most wonderful mother” and “cherished grandmother”, saying she will be remembered for “her endless capacity for joy”.
Morgan's Tribute
The Uncensored host took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share his heartache. Sharing a photo of the pair beaming on the steps of No. 10 Downing Street, he wrote: “So sad to hear Dame Esther Rantzen has died. What a magnificent lady, fuelled by firebrand campaigning zeal and a desire to stand up for the powerless and less fortunate.
“She was a whirlwind of energy and a lot of fun. RIP Esther, you'd have made a great PM.”
Career and Legacy
Dame Esther hosted the BBC consumer affairs show That’s Life! for 21 years, from 1973 to 1994, which led her to set up Childline in 1986 to provide counselling services for young people. She later launched The Silver Line in 2012, which aims to tackle loneliness in older people.
Her death comes weeks after the assisted dying bill was defeated in a House of Commons vote on September 11. Dame Esther described it as a “tragic day” after MPs voted 286 to 270 against the legislation.
She said: “I’m so sad that people in this country won’t have the choice so many terminally ill adults have in other countries, of shortening their own deaths by asking for help. I am sure a change in the law will come.
“I am deeply sad that it won’t come soon enough for many of the people who need it. It’s a tragic day.” Dame Esther also criticised the “messy and cruel” law in England and Wales, which would criminalise loved ones who tried to help.
Daughter's Tribute
Her daughter Rebecca Wilcox paid an emotional tribute in a message shared on Instagram. She wrote: “Mum was our irreplaceable everything. Thank you for all the messages. Please know we’re reading them all, but can’t always reply. If you wanted to remember her, I know her charities would appreciate any donation you felt like giving.
“Her favourites included, but were not limited to, the following: @childline @thesilverline @dignityindying @oakhavenhospice and importantly @catsprotection. I’m taking a break from things, but will see you all again soon.”
