Dame Esther Rantzen, Veteran Broadcaster And Campaigner, Dies Aged 86

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Esther Rantzen in 2008 Broadcaster, journalist and campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen has died at the age of 86. for more than 20 years, as well as presenting her own self-titled daytime talk show. She was also the founder of the youth counselling service Childline and, more recently, a similar service offered to elderly people in the UK known as The Silver Line.

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• Following her diagnosis with lung cancer in 2023, Dame Esther became a vocal advocate for assisted dying, and just last month, shared her disappointment after MPs voted against a bill that would have made...
• On Wednesday, Dame Esther's family announced the broadcaster's death, remembering her as the "most wonderful mother" and a "cherished grandmother".
• "Her legacy of compassion and understanding will live on in her charities Childline and the Silver Line, and through those of us who were lucky enough to love and be loved by her," they said.
• "We are grateful she is finally at rest with her beloved husband, Desmond Wilcox, but we will miss her immeasurably.
• We will always remember her endless capacity for joy, her ability to comfort every heartache, her beautiful way with words and her expert guidance in a...