Esther Rantzen, the Bafta-winning TV presenter and founder of Childline, has died aged 86. She announced lung cancer diagnosis in 2023 and became a vocal campaigner to change the law around assisted dying.

Ranzten hosted That’s Life! for 21 years from 1973 until 1994, which drew more than 20 million viewers at its peak. She presented Hearts of Gold in 1988, a series focusing on people responsible for outstanding acts of kindness, and hosted the chatshow Esther from 1994. In later years, she was a contributor to the One Show and hosted a podcast with Adrian Mills.

Outside of broadcasting, Rantzen is known for her wide-ranging charity work. She founded Childline in 1986, a helpline for children, and in 2010 launched the Silver Line, a free confidential helpline for older people, which led to her being made a dame for services to children and older people.

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