Andy Burnham says Esther Rantzen 'changed countless lives' as tributes pour in after TV star's death

Andy Burnham says Esther Rantzen 'changed countless lives' as tributes pour in after TV star's death The former That's Life! presenter and Childline founder's family said she would be remembered for her ' endless capacity for joy' while PM Andy Burnham said she 'gave a voice to people who often went unheard'. Tributes were tonight paid to Dame Esther Rantzen, who has died aged 86 at home in the New Forest. The journalist and television presenter was diagnosed with lung cancer in January 2023. Announcing her death tonight in a statement, her family called her the "most wonderful mother" and a "cherished grandmother" who would be remembered for her "endless capacity for joy". Prime minister Andy Burnham was among the high-profile figures giving their own tributes to the broadcaster and campaigner, saying she "changed countless lives and gave a voice to people who often went unheard". In a heartfelt note written before her death, Esther said: "Sadly, all good things come to an end, as they say. So I particularly wanted to say goodbye and thank you so very, very much. Perhaps I will see you eventually, on the other side. I do hope so. With very good wishes, as ever, Esther." Key Events Actor Sanjeev Bhaskar pays tribute to Esther Actor Sanjeev Bhaskar, known for BBC sitcom Goodness Gracious Me, posted a picture of Dame Esther to Instagram and praised her legacy, joined by the likes of TV presenter Matt Allwright. 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.” Dan Wootton: "Her TV legacy is unmatched" Dan Wootton has taken to X to pay tribute to Esther. He previously hosted Dan Wootton Tonight on GB News where he interviewed Esther. He later left the network in March 2024 following an Ofcom ruling regarding a controversial broadcast. Davina McCall's tribute to Esther Rantzen Davina McCall posted a video message about Esther Rantzen on Instagram: What kind of cancer did Esther Rantzen have? Esther Rantzen announced in January 2023 that she had been diagnosed with lung cancer. At the time, she said: "In the last few weeks I have discovered that I am suffering from lung cancer which has now spread. "At the moment I am undergoing various tests, to assess the best treatment ... I have decided not to keep this secret anymore because I find it difficult to skulk around various hospitals wearing an unconvincing disguise, and because I would rather you heard the facts from me." In March of that year, she added that had reached stage IV and was starting new medication. But by December 2023, she revealed that she was considering going to Dignitas. Martin Lewis pays tribute Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has paid tribute to Esther Rantzen, saying on X: "Thank you Dame Esther Rantzen for all you did for the country, and personally for all you did to open the doors for someone like me. "Esther was an inspiration. Firstly as a a consumer journalist. She pioneered mass reach programming with a campaigning bent, something I've tried to emulate, albeit with a shadow of her TV reach. "Then by acting, rather than just commenting, setting up her own superb nationally impacting charities. "I was lucky enough to meet her a few times in green rooms. Always sharp, on it, independent of thought even if it wasn't in line with everyone else. We shared a a few laughs too. "She may be gone, but her impact and memory will long continue to shine. Thank you Esther. Condolences to all her family." Howard Leader 'grateful' for Rantzen 'everyday' Howard Leader, a former That's Life!, co-host has said he remains "grateful" for Esther Rantzen. He told the BBC: "We've know for a long time that Esther has been very ill, but in her own way she fought on until the very end. "Over the time that I was with her, through her fantastic generosity, she taught me how to be a journalist," he added. "I have been grateful to her for that everyday since." Bill Buckley pays tribute to That's Life! co-presenter Esther Rantzen's co-presenter on That's Life!, Bill Buckley, told BBC Radio 4 Front Row programme what the late star was really like and what about her made the show so popular. "It was her absolutely amazing gift of explaining complicated nuanced things in simple direct terms," he said. He added that she was a "really good journalist who could also understand showbiz and comedy" and that "nothing would stop her... she saw the light at the end of the tunnel and followed it doggedly." "She got drama, she got comedy, and with someone like that at the helm you were going to have a hit." Anna Williamson pays tribute Anna Williamson, a television presenter who was inspired to become both a Childline counsellor and ambassador after meeting Rantzen, has described her as "true fighter", "true pioneer" and a "genuinely incredible person". "Rest in peace Dame Esther. The millions of children who have been helped by your vision & passion is something truly truly special," Williamson wrote. Anton Du Beke's tribute Anton Du Beke, who was partnered with Esther Rantzen on the second series of Strictly Come Dancing, has posted a tribute to the late star: The BBC pays tribute to Esther Rantzen The BBC's Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips has paid tribute to Dame Esther Rantzen, saying: “We are deeply saddened to hear the news about the passing of Dame Esther Rantzen. "She was a formidable force who gave so much of her time to campaigning and supporting others . A pioneering broadcaster who truly led the way for women in television, and her contribution to the BBC was immeasurable. "My very first job in television was working as a runner on That’s Life. I was in awe of her then and I still am. Esther will be hugely missed and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.” BBC Director-General Matt Brittin added: "Dame Esther Rantzen was a legend of British broadcasting, who had a rare ability to connect with the audience in a way that made them feel special, understood and listened to. "Dame Esther presented That's Life! for an incredible 21 years, with the programme becoming appointment TV each week, in millions of homes across the country. 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. "Dame Esther's contribution to the BBC and public life was immeasurable. She leaves an enormous legacy and will be greatly missed. The thoughts of us all are with her children, grandchildren, family and friends." More celebrity tributes flood in Celebrity tributes are flooding in for Esther. Saltburn actor Richard E Grant commented with many broken heart emojis beneath an Instagram post about Dame Esther, while Bad Boys Inc singer Matthew Pateman wrote: “Be at peace. Thoughts are with Esther’s family and friends.” The One Show pays tribute The One Show hosts Alex Jones and Angellica Bell paid tribute to the TV star this evening. At the close of the episode, Angelica said: "Before we go, like many of you, we've just heard the news that legendary broadcaster, Dame Esther Rantzen, has died at the age of 86. Alex added: "I had the pleasure of meeting her on so many occasions, an incredible woman, and a campaigner right to the end, who had such an impact on so many people's lives. "Our thoughts, of course, are with her friends and family, and we will be paying tribute in a special show tomorrow." The Silver Line pay tribute In 2012, Dame Esther set up The Silver Line, a free telephone service for those aged 55 and over – especially those struggling with loneliness and isolation – to access support. The helpline is now part of Age UK. Paul Farmer, the charity’s chief executive, paid tribute to Dame Esther’s “dedication and commitment” to older people. He said: “Esther was a true inspiration and spent her life working tirelessly to help others.” “Her dedication and commitment to older people is unrivalled and her legacy will carry on through The Silver Line Helpline’s work. We can never thank her enough,” Mr Farmer added. Esther Rantzen's daughter was 'astonished' she got to 86th birthday Three years on from her diagnosis, Rebecca admitted that Dame Esther and the rest of their family is "astonished" she is still with them, and they are all "cherishing" every day. She said ahead of the star's 86th birthday: "It's her birthday coming up. She's going to be 86 which is brilliant. She's as astonished as anybody that she's still here. We are so grateful. "She was diagnosed three years ago with terminal stage four lung and breast cancer so every day is a wonderful miracle and we really are cherishing it. As you say, 'every day you wake up still breathing...' Its the same for a terminal diagnosis." Esther Rantzen's daughter spent most days at mum's bedside Prior to her mum's death, Rebecca Wilcox said she was spending most days at her mum’s bedside witnessing the “ugly and horrible” reality of having no assisted dying laws in the UK. Her words came before MPs voted on the Assisted Dying Bill, and she urged them to “do the easy thing” and vote 'yes' for the historic assisted dying bill. She says she cannot bear to see someone else going through a painful death. Rebecca, who went to Parliament Square to hear the results, told The Mirror at the time: “I am sitting by the side of my mother’s bed most days now, looking at what the alternative is if you don’t have assisted dying and it is ugly and horrible. “There is a huge amount of guilt because I worry that maybe she didn’t go because she wanted to spend time with us, she knew we wanted to be with her." Rebecca added: “She is brave and brilliant and clever and charismatic and she should not be going through what she’s going through. So it’s awful and anyone who has a loved one who has gone through cancer or are going through it themselves. I hope and pray it changes for them in the future." Dignity in Dying pays tribute to Rantzen Dignity in Dying, an organisation that advocates for changing the law has paid tribute to Rantzen in a statement: "Dame Esther was a true force of nature whose compassion, tenacity and wit will be greatly missed. Our heartfelt condolences are with her family and loved ones. "Throughout her life, Dame Esther fought for people's rights: for children, for older people and latterly, for dying people who needed more choice and compassion, a cause she championed right up to her death. "She spoke bravely about her experience and her family's own pain, but only so that those without a public voice could be heard. She used her platform to speak truth to power and gave a voice to so many other terminally ill and bereaved people across the country. "We owe Dame Esther and her daughter Rebecca Wilcox, broadcaster and inimitable campaigner, a huge debt of gratitude for their tireless efforts to challenge a status quo they saw was broken; efforts which undoubtedly helped bring the UK closer than ever before to a safe, compassionate assisted dying law." How Esther Rantzen became a central part of the Assisted Dying campaign Dame Esther Rantzen spent her final years campaigning for reform to the assisted dying legislation. Her involvement in the campaign became public knowledge in 2023, when she revealed to the world that she had registered with Dignitas, so that she had the option to die when she wanted to. She said on the Today programme: "I have joined Dignitas. I have in my brain thought, well, if the next scan says nothing’s working I might buzz off to Zurich – but it puts my family and friends in a difficult position because they would want to go with me." The TV star had been diagnosed with lung cancer already by that point. She explained her stance on assisted dying, saying she was not trying to impose my choice on anyone else, but I believe they should have no right to impose their choice on me". This September, she revealed that she could no longer go abroad to Switzerland, as her health had deteriorated too much, leaving her too fragile to travel. Esther's sad admission In an interview in September 2026, Esther sadly admitted she was "too physically fragile to make the journey" to Dignitas. She was speaking ahead of an MPs vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, where she urged those in power to vote in favour of legalising assisted dying for England and Wales. "Everything I didn't want to happen I'm having to go through now, which means that the people I love and care about either cannot visit me, or when they do, see me suffering pain or indignity which will inevitably get between them and our shared happy memories, and may even overwhelm the way they think of me," she said. Andy Burnham shares tribute to Esther Rantzen Prime Minister Andy Burnham has paid tribute to Dame Esther Rantzen, who has died at the age of 86. He said: “Very sad to hear that Dame Esther Rantzen has died. Through her decades of campaigning, including founding Childline and The Silver Line, she changed countless lives and gave a voice to people who often went unheard. “And I will always admire the characteristic courage and openness with which she spoke about her illness, making us all think about the difficult questions we face at the end of life. My thoughts are with her family and all who loved her.” Esther Rantzen: 'Assisted dying campaign kept me going' In one of her final interviews, Esther Rantzen said her campaign to legalise assisted dying was one off the things keeping her going. She told the BBC in March this year: “The problem with me, according to my oncologist, is I am an outlier, I am living longer than he expected me to, No-one knows why, but the last scan things were improving, despite the drugs not working and not being treated.” Dame Esther said she had another scan booked for June, adding: “If I’m still improving I will carry on fighting, maybe it’s this battle that is keeping me going, who knows?” Esther Rantzen all smiles with her family in touching final photo Dame Esther Rantzen smiled alongside her daughter in her final photo before her death today. The Childline founder and That's Life presenter celebrated her 85th birthday alongside her family including daughter Rebecca. In the sweet pictures, both of them are smiling at the camera in sunglasses, with Esther in a butter yellow dress and blaze. Esther's valiant decision Rebecca had previously explained how Esther would have no choice but to travel to Dignitas alone, if she wanted to die. "I mean, we're in this odd, privileged position, if that's the word, whereby she can afford to have the death that she wants and deserves. She will pay £15,000 to go to Dignitas. She will go before she has to. She will go months before she would die here. And she will go alone, because we contacted a criminal solicitor. And we said, how likely is it that we'll be investigated and prosecuted?" her daughter Rebecca explained previously. "And they said, because we have stuck our head above the parapet, because we have campaigned for other people for this, we knew it would never come in time for mum, we will be investigated as a family." She added: "I will possibly lose my enhanced DBS, which means my work with Childline, which is so important to me, and my counselling work will not go forward. I will possibly lose my job as a journalist. "My brother's job as a cardiologist might be in danger, and my sister's job as well. And my mum doesn't want that for us, so she is not allowing us to go with her. So she goes alone to die in Switzerland, and she does not deserve that." How Esther Rantzen helped create extraordinary TV moment Esther Rantzen was best known for presenting That's Life! for over two decades and her work on that show helped create one of the most tearjerking moments in TV history. In 1988, Nicholas Winton, a London stockbroker, was invited onto That's Life! where Rantzen told the story of how he organised the rescue 669 children from Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia during the Second World War. In an extraordinary moment, Rantzen turned to the audience to ask anyone who was helped by Winton to stand up - and every single person did. Nicky Campbell pays tribute Radio star Nicky Campbell has paid tribute to Esther Rantzen, saying: "Dame Esther Rantzen. RIP. What a difference she made." Dame Esther's daughter Rebecca called for change Dame Esther's daughter, Rebecca Wilcox, said she supported her mum's decision but feared travelling with her to the clinic could lead to her arrest. She said: "I'm not legally allowed to say I'd go with her, that I would hold her hand - and that is absolutely ridiculous. I should be able to sit with my mother in her last moments. "I can't go to prison, I can't go through a court case at the worst point of my life, when I've lost my person and I'm suddenly being prosecuted with her death. It's unfathomable. I can't believe this is the situation we're in." Age UK's tribute Heart Cells Foundation pays tribute Jenifer Rosenberg, founder and chair of the Heart Cells Foundation charity, which has worked with St Bartholomew’s Hospital to pioneer a new stem cell treatment for heart failure, has paid tribute to Esther Rantzen. She said: “Esther was an extraordinary woman whose warmth, courage and determination touched so many lives. From the very beginning, she believed deeply in the work of the Heart Cells Foundation and was proud to become our first ambassador. She was not simply a supporter of our work; she understood, through the loss of her beloved husband Desmond to heart disease, the devastating impact that heart disease can have on families. “Esther’s commitment to helping others was unwavering. She brought compassion, energy and a remarkable ability to make people believe that change was possible. I feel incredibly privileged to have known her and to have had her standing alongside us in our mission to give people with heart failure hope for the future. Her legacy of kindness and service will live on in all those whose lives she touched.” Elaine Paige says she is 'so very sad' to hear of Esther Rantzen's death Dame Elaine Paige has paid tribute to Dame Esther Rantzen. The musical theatre star shared a picture of herself with the That's Life! presenter to Instagram: Lorraine Kelly pays tribute TV host Lorraine Kelly has paid tribute to Esther Rantzen, saying under an Instagram post about her death: "Sad news – a pioneer and a force of nature. Helped so many people – funny, forthright and fabulous. Thoughts with all her family and many friends.” NSPCC pays tribute to Childline founder Chris Sherwood, the chief executive of the children's charity NSPCC, has written a tribute to Esther Rantzen. He said: "I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Dame Esther Rantzen. Esther was a unique and truly remarkable woman who during her life did incredible things and went to exceptional lengths to ensure children and young people across the UK had somewhere to turn when they were in need of help. “In 1986 she founded Childline and in the 40 years since the service has helped millions of children, providing round the clock support over the phone and, in recent years, increasingly online. "Esther's hands-on approach defined her leadership. She loved nothing more than spending time in our bases and connecting with our volunteer counsellors. Her unwavering determination and tenacity in ensuring children were safe and heard never diminished. Thanks to her vision, energy and courage we now have an extensive network of Childline staff and volunteers working around the country. "I speak on behalf of the whole of the NSPCC and Childline in sending love to Esther's family at this difficult time. We will miss her so much but will ensure her extraordinary legacy and commitment to helping children lives on for many years to come.”