Esther Rantzen remembered as 'inspirational' trailblazer whose legacy transformed British public life

Dame Esther Rantzen, the broadcaster, campaigner and charity founder who died on Wednesday at the age of 86, has been remembered as an "inspirational individual" who combined formidable journalistic instincts with an unwavering drive to change society for the better.

Shaun Friel, director of Childline, the children's helpline Dame Esther established in the 1980s, said she possessed a rare ability to move both people and institutions. "She inspired people, she energised people, she persuaded people," he told BBC Breakfast. "She had a great mind and she had obviously that natural journalistic ability."

Dame Esther's death was confirmed on Wednesday. She had been terminally ill with lung cancer, a diagnosis she discussed publicly with the same frankness that characterised her decades of campaigning work.

During her long television career she became a household name as the presenter of the BBC consumer affairs programme That's Life!, which she fronted for 21 years. At its peak the programme drew audiences of more than 20 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched shows of its era and giving Dame Esther a platform she would later use to pursue causes far beyond entertainment.

It was through That's Life! that she encountered repeated examples of child abuse and neglect. Realising that many young people had nowhere to turn for confidential help, she established Childline as a telephone helpline in 1986. The service merged with the NSPCC in 2006 and remains a vital source of support for children across the United Kingdom.

Friel said the scale of that achievement should not be underestimated. "The legacy that Dame Esther created when she created Childline is something quite incredible. She changed how society looked upon children," he said. He described her as a person who, once she identified a wrong that needed righting, would not rest until something was done. "When she decided she had a vision or something had to be done or had to be changed, she was quite a force."

Tributes came from across British public life. Prime Minister Andy Burnham led the political response, saying the veteran broadcaster had "changed countless lives". He added that he would "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".

BBC director general Matt Brittin described her as a "legend of British broadcasting" whose contribution to public life was "immeasurable". He noted that the warmth, spirit and determination she displayed on screen continued long after her programmes ended, pointing to a lifetime of campaigning that, in his words, changed the lives of millions.

Martin Lewis, the consumer affairs expert and broadcaster, called her an "inspiration" and a "pioneer", saying her "impact and memory will long continue to shine". Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the NSPCC, said Dame Esther had gone to "exceptional lengths to ensure children and young people across the UK had somewhere to turn when they were in need of help".

Her campaigning was not confined to child welfare. In 2013 she founded The Silver Line, a helpline offering support to older people experiencing isolation and loneliness. She also led high-profile campaigns on issues including safety, organ donation and bullying.

Later in life she became one of the most prominent voices calling for the legalisation of assisted dying. In 2023 she disclosed that she had joined Dignitas, the Swiss clinic that provides assisted dying services, but last month she said she had become "too physically fragile to make the journey".

Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP who sponsored the assisted dying bill in Parliament, told the BBC that Dame Esther was a "wonderful mix of strength and feistiness, but also really deep compassion and kindness". She said Dame Esther would continue to inspire campaigners working on the issue.

Baroness Jan Royall, former leader of the House of Lords and a friend of Dame Esther, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that she was a "formidable" figure. "She was an extraordinary, compassionate woman, a passionate woman, and she brought about such change in our world, change for the better," Baroness Royall said. She added that Dame Esther had "a wicked sense of humour" and a "zest for life", qualities that drove her efforts to improve people's lives through Childline, The Silver Line and, latterly, the assisted dying debate.

Bill Buckley, who co-presented That's Life! alongside Dame Esther, told BBC Radio 4's Front Row that "nothing would stop her" when she took up a cause. "She saw the light at the end of the tunnel and followed it doggedly," he said.

Dame Elaine Paige, celebrated for her leading roles in West End productions including Cats and Evita, paid tribute to a "great broadcaster, journalist and campaigner". She highlighted the reach of Dame Esther's charitable work, noting that Childline had provided confidential counselling to young people in distress while The Silver Line had been created to help older people suffering loneliness and isolation.

Anton Du Beke, who partnered Dame Esther on Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, shared a photograph of the pair dancing together in that series. He wrote that the two had "remained firm friends" ever since, praising her "breadth of knowledge and passion" and describing her as "the ultimate breaker of the glass ceiling". He added: "She will be greatly missed and my sincere thoughts are with her family."

Davina McCall wrote 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". Her message accompanied a video in which she discussed how Dame Esther had been an "inspiration to girls like me when we were growing up".

Presenter Amol Rajan said Dame Esther "changed the course of millions of lives", describing her as "an inspirational, strong woman ahead of her time". The breadth of the tributes, spanning broadcasting, politics, charity and entertainment, reflects a career that moved far beyond the television studio and left a lasting mark on how Britain addresses child welfare, loneliness and the fraught question of how people should be allowed to die.