Dame Esther Rantzen dies aged 86

Dame Esther Rantzen, the veteran broadcaster who fronted the BBC's That's Life for two decades and founded the children's helpline Childline, has died aged 86. In recent years she was also a campaigner for assisted dying.

Dame Esther Rantzen, a prominent figure in British television and a campaigner on social issues, has died aged 86.

Broadcasting career

Rantzen became widely known as the presenter of the BBC programme That's Life, which she fronted for around two decades. Her work on television made her a familiar face to several generations of viewers and established her as a leading broadcast journalist and presenter.

Childline and charity work

Following her television career, Rantzen went on to found Childline, a helpline for children. The service grew into a recognised support resource and became a key part of her public legacy alongside her media work.

Campaigning in later years

In recent years she was publicly active on the issue of assisted dying, advocating for change. Her campaigning formed part of a broader engagement with social and humanitarian causes throughout her life.

Legacy

Rantzen will be remembered for her long-running role in broadcasting and for founding Childline, which cemented her reputation as a tireless advocate for vulnerable people. Her career combined high-profile media work with sustained charitable and public-policy engagement.