Dame Esther Rantzen, Childline Founder and Campaigner, Dies Aged 86

Dame Esther Rantzen, a prominent figure in British broadcasting and a dedicated advocate for children's welfare, has died at 86. She was widely recognised for presenting the consumer affairs programme That's Life! for two decades, a show that garnered significant viewership and addressed a range of public interest issues.

Beyond her broadcasting career, Dame Esther established Childline in 1986, a confidential helpline for children and young people. This organisation has since provided critical support to hundreds of thousands across the UK, offering a safe space for those experiencing abuse or distress to seek help. Childline later merged with the NSPCC in 2006, continuing its vital work under the umbrella of a larger child protection charity.

In her later years, Dame Esther became a vocal campaigner for the right to assisted dying. She openly discussed her own considerations regarding end-of-life choices, bringing the often-taboo subject into public discourse and advocating for legislative changes to permit such options in the UK.