Tributes Pour In for Trailblazing Broadcaster and Advocate Esther Rantzen

Dame Esther Rantzen, a pioneering broadcaster and tireless campaigner, has died at the age of 86. Her death on Wednesday prompted widespread tributes from across public life, recognizing her significant contributions to broadcasting and her impactful advocacy work.

Shaun Friel, director of Childline, described Dame Esther as "an inspirational individual" and "quite a force" as a campaigner. "She inspired people, she energised people, she persuaded people," Friel told BBC Breakfast. "She had a great mind and she had obviously that natural journalistic ability."

Dame Esther was best known for presenting the BBC consumer affairs program "That's Life!" for 21 years. Beyond her television career, she became a prominent advocate for issues including child welfare and assisted dying.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham was among those who led the tributes, stating that the veteran broadcaster "changed countless lives." BBC director general Matt Brittin called her a "legend of British broadcasting" whose impact on public life was "immeasurable." He added, "Her warmth, spirit and fight for justice and action that we saw on our screens continued long after the programme ended, with a lifetime of campaigning where she changed the lives of millions."

Martin Lewis, a consumer finance expert and broadcaster, remembered Dame Esther as an "inspiration" and a "pioneer" whose "impact and memory will long continue to shine." Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the NSPCC, which operates Childline, highlighted Dame Esther's "exceptional lengths to ensure children and young people across the UK had somewhere to turn when they were in need of help."

Dame Esther established the Childline telephone helpline in 1986 after a segment on "That's Life!" brought to light numerous incidents of child abuse and neglect, revealing a critical need for a support system for children. Friel remarked that the legacy of Childline is "quite incredible" and that Dame Esther "changed how society looked upon children."

Childline merged with the NSPCC in 2006. In 2013, Dame Esther founded The Silver Line, a charity dedicated to combating isolation and loneliness among older people.

Her campaigning work extended to issues of safety, organ donation, and bullying. In her later years, she became a vocal advocate for the legalization of assisted dying. She had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and had previously spoken of joining Dignitas, a Swiss assisted dying clinic, though she recently stated she was too physically frail for the journey.

Burnham commented on her "characteristic courage and openness" in discussing her illness, which prompted reflection on end-of-life questions. Kim Leadbeater, Labour MP and sponsor of the assisted dying bill, described Dame Esther as a "wonderful mix of strength and feistiness, but also really deep compassion and kindness," asserting that she would continue to inspire campaigners.

'Zest for Life'

Baroness Jan Royall, former leader of the House of Lords and a friend of Dame Esther, described her as "formidable," "extraordinary, compassionate," and "passionate," noting that she "brought about such change in our world, change for the better." Royall also recalled Dame Esther's "wicked sense of humour" and "zest for life" as driving forces behind her efforts to improve people's lives through charities like Silver Line and Childline, as well as her advocacy for assisted dying.

Bill Buckley, a former co-presenter of "That's Life!," shared that "nothing would stop her" when it came to her campaigning efforts, likening her to someone who "saw the light at the end of the tunnel and followed it doggedly." Actress Elaine Paige paid tribute to a "great broadcaster, journalist and campaigner," emphasizing the impact of Childline and The Silver Line.

Anton Du Beke, who partnered with Dame Esther on "Strictly Come Dancing" in 2004, shared a photo of them dancing, noting they had "remained firm friends." He praised her "breadth of knowledge and passion" and called her "the ultimate breaker of the glass ceiling," adding that she would be "greatly missed."

Davina McCall posted on Instagram that Dame Esther had "made the world a better place, and inspired so many of us to do better and live life to its fullest." Presenter Amol Rajan described Dame Esther as "an inspirational, strong woman ahead of her time" who "changed the course of millions of lives."