Dame Esther Rantzen has died at the age of 85. The former That's Life! presenter and Childline founder had been open about the end of her life and had been campaigning for the law on assisted dying to change.
Cancer diagnosis and treatment
The journalist and television presenter was diagnosed with lung cancer in January 2023, having noticed a lump under her armpit weeks before. At the time of sharing her diagnosis, Dame Esther said her cancer had "spread" and she had been undergoing several tests. In May of the same year, she announced her condition had reached stage four and she was taking a new form of medication to help.
Assisted dying campaign
Before her death, Esther had revealed that she had joined assisted dying clinic Dignitas in Switzerland after being told her cancer had spread. Esther said that she was undergoing a "miracle" treatment but was considering travelling to Zurich where assisted dying is legal if it didn't work.
Esther has been a staunch campaigner for the Assisted Dying Bill, which would allow terminally ill people in England and Wales with fewer than six months to live to seek an assisted death, subject to approval by doctors and legal professionals.
Family and legacy
The broadcaster leaves behind her three children, who she shared with Desmond Wilcox.
