Dame Esther Rantzen has died aged 86, prompting tributes from celebrities including Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke, TV presenter Davina McCall and broadcaster Martin Lewis, who hailed her as a “national treasure”.
A statement on Wednesday announced the broadcaster and campaigner had died, with her family remembering her as “the most wonderful mother” and a “cherished grandmother”.
Broadcasting career and charities
Dame Esther started her career as a broadcaster and became a household name after hosting That’s Life!, and went on to establish charities helping the young and old.
After being diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in 2023, she also became a prominent voice in the attempt to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales.
Celebrity tributes
McCall, 58, was among a host of celebrities sharing tributes to Dame Esther on Instagram and said: “You’ve made the world a better place, and inspired so many of us to do better and live life to its fullest.”
The message accompanied a video of the former Big Brother host discussing how Dame Esther was an “inspiration to girls like me when we were growing up”.
“She was a strong, independent and really intelligent woman who I was lucky enough to meet a couple of times who was always unbelievably encouraging, friendly and supportive,” McCall said.
MoneySavingExpert founder Lewis praised Dame Esther as an “inspiration” and a “pioneer” whose “impact and memory will long continue to shine”.
Du Beke, 60, posted a snap from their time together as partners on the second series of Strictly in 2004, coinciding with his debut on the BBC dancing competition.
The ballroom dancer hailed Dame Esther as “wonderful”, saying they “remained firm friends” ever since their time on Strictly.
“I was also lucky enough to have the benefit of her wisdom as she became a valued mentor to me when I started out in television,” he added.
Du Beke also praised her “breadth of knowledge and passion” and called her “the ultimate breaker of the glass ceiling”, adding: “She will be greatly missed and my sincere thoughts are with her family.”
Legacy and further tributes
The 56-year-old, who has hosted programmes including The One Show and Watchdog, wrote: “She used her powers to campaign until the end for those who didn’t have a voice. The misled and deceived. Children. Those in pain. Unrecognised heroes. What a stunning legacy.
“What an incredible way to live your life. A titan who fought for a better version of the country we live in.
“A personal hero who changed my life, like so many others. Thank you, Esther. We were lucky to have you on our side.”
Dame Elaine Paige, famed for her West End roles in productions such as Evita and Cats, praised Dame Esther as “a great broadcaster, journalist and campaigner”.
The singer and actress said: “Her Childline, the confidential counselling service for young people in distress, helped so many children and The Silver Line was aimed at older people suffering loneliness and isolation.
“Esther also fought to the end for assisted dying.”
Former TV presenter Anna Williamson, known for appearing on Celebs Go Dating, echoed the sentiments and described Dame Esther as “somebody truly iconic, who really cared, and who has left behind one hell of a legacy”.
Williamson also called Dame Esther an “inspiration” and said she felt compelled to become a spokeswoman, ambassador and counsellor for Childline after meeting its founder.
Presenter Amol Rajan said Dame Esther “changed the course of millions of lives” as he paid tribute, calling her “an inspirational, strong woman ahead of her time”.
“She was something like the on-air conscience of her generation, and often most admired by those who most disagreed with her.
“Not bad for a bright, Hertfordshire girl born during the early stages of the Second World War.”
Former BBC chairman Lord Michael Grade described Dame Esther as a “genius producer” and said he had tried to convince her to become a network controller.
He told Times Radio: “She would have been brilliant, but she was a good judge of what was the right thing for her.
“We’ll never see another person with that kind of determination and skill and popular support and fame to use her platform to do good and change the world and make the world a better place.”
He said the creation of Childline was “her legacy” and said she had displayed “amazing courage” during her campaign for assisted dying.
