Esther Rantzen, the celebrated broadcaster and campaigner for consumer and children's rights, has died at the age of 86. The TV presenter and founder of Childline leaves behind a legacy that transformed British television and championed the vulnerable.
From researcher to revolutionary presenter
Rantzen began her career as a researcher on the BBC show Braden's Week in October 1969. She got her first on-screen role when the series decided to let its behind-the-camera staff try presenting.
In March 1975, she was having her makeup done to appear on That's Life! – the replacement for Braden's Week for which she became the celebrated host. In January 1976, she won the BBC TV personality of the year award.
Personal life and family
In March 1976, Rantzen was pictured with her parents, Katherine and Harry, at their home in St John's Wood, London. In December 1977, she married Desmond Wilcox at their wedding reception in Knightsbridge. They remained married until 2000, when Wilcox died. They are pictured with his three children, Cassandra, 19, and twins Clair and Adam, 17.
In February 1978, Rantzen was at home with her one-month-old baby, Emily (who later changed her name to Miriam), and That's Life! guest Annie Mizen. In May 1978, the That's Life! team were pictured wearing masks to conceal their identities owing to their undercover work.
That's Life! and beyond
In 1980, Rantzen appeared with co-presenters Shaun Ley and Toby Robertson for Junior That's Life!, a version of her popular show for young people. In October 1980, she was carrying out a taste-test where she asked passersby to sample a soup made from bats. She was arrested for wilful obstruction during filming, as a police officer felt she was blocking the pavement.
In 1982, Rantzen was pictured with the cast of a new look That's Life! team, from left to right, Noel Edmonds, Michael Groth, Bill Buckley, Paul Daniels, Gavin Campbell, Joanna Monro and Doc Cox.
Childline and later campaigns
In March 1988, Rantzen was pictured with Diana, Princess of Wales, during a visit to Childline – the children's charity Rantzen founded in 1986. In May 1996, she was at the launch of a Childline anti-bullying campaign.
In April 1997, Rantzen arrived at the Royal Albert Hall in London for the Bafta film and television awards after her show Esther was nominated in the best talk show category. Earlier, in 1988, she had won Bafta's Richard Dimbleby award for factual programming.
A lasting legacy
In 2003, Rantzen gave a reading for her debut novel, A Secret Life, during the Edinburgh international book festival. The book is based on a TV personality's mysterious death. In 2009, she launched her campaign to be elected as an independent MP for Luton South, standing on an anti-sleaze platform after the MPs' expenses scandal.
In September 2016, she spoke at the Childline Ball, marking 30 years since she founded the charity. In 2017, Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall, joined Rantzen in a visit to the Blackpool offices of the Silver Line – a free, confidential helpline for elderly people that Rantzen launched nationally in 2013.
In January 2023, Rantzen was pictured at home after the announcement of her lung cancer diagnosis. She leaves behind a pioneering career in broadcasting and a lasting impact on child welfare and consumer rights.
