Dame Esther Rantzen has died aged 86 after a lung cancer battle, having issued a poignant farewell note.
The assisted dying campaigner's death was confirmed on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, with a statement noting that more updates would follow.
Farewell note issued before death
Dame Esther, known for founding Childline and her tireless work on assisted dying, left a heartfelt message for the nation as her health declined.
The farewell letter was published as news of her passing broke, with tributes beginning to pour in from across the country.
Legacy of campaigning
One tribute described Dame Esther as "utterly unique", adding that "the entire nation will miss her energy".
Her campaigning on assisted dying had brought the issue to the forefront of public debate in recent years, following her own diagnosis.
Dame Esther's work with Childline and her broadcasting career made her a beloved figure in British public life.
