Alex Jones led an emotional tribute to Dame Esther Rantzen on The One Show on Wednesday evening (September 30), following the announcement of the broadcaster's death at the age of 86.
The Welsh presenter returned to co-host the BBC programme alongside Angellica Bell. During the show, the pair interviewed David Harewood, Tom Hiddleston and Genden Phuntsok.
Tribute at the end of the show
At the end of the instalment, Alex and Angellica delivered a tribute to Dame Esther, whose death was announced on Wednesday. Angellica said: "Before we go, like many of you, we've just heard the news that legendary broadcaster, Dame Esther Rantzen, has died at the age of 86."
Alex added: "I had the pleasure of meeting her on so many occasions, an incredible woman, and a campaigner right to the end, who had such an impact on so many people's lives. Our thoughts, of course, are with her friends and family, and we will be paying tribute in a special show tomorrow."
A history of interviews
Alex has interviewed Esther several times over the years. In 2023, during her first interview since her cancer diagnosis, Esther opened up about the ordeal as well as her impressive career. The journalist and presenter shared her lung cancer diagnosis in January that year and revealed she was facing Stage 4 cancer. During the interview, she also shared that specialists warned her she would die 'sometime in the next ten years'.
Family statement and legacy
Her death was announced this week, with her family describing her as "the most wonderful mother" and a "cherished grandmother" in an emotional statement. They added: "We have been so lucky for so long, no matter how much time we had with Mum it could be never be enough, but we are so grateful for our lives together. Mum's work with charities and campaigning, particularly for children, older people, and the terminally ill, meant the world to her so thank you to everyone who has written to her, shared their stories with her over the years and worked alongside her."
"We hope the humour, ingenuity and audacity she brought to her work may continue to inspire you as it will do us. We kindly ask that we are given privacy and time to grieve."
In later life, Dame Esther became a strong proponent for assisted dying after her stage four lung cancer diagnosis in 2023. Earlier this month, she revealed she had become too physically fragile to travel to Switzerland to end her life at a Dignitas clinic, despite previously making plans to do so. She had spoken openly about her terminal diagnosis and her belief that people facing the end of their lives should have greater choice.
The One Show airs Monday to Friday at 7pm on BBC One.
