Esther Rantzen, Childline founder and That's Life! presenter, dies aged 86
The broadcaster, who pioneered consumer journalism on television and founded the children's helpline Childline, built a presenting career spanning more than two decades.
Written by EGazette’s AI. The facts are drawn from cited sources; the analysis is the AI’s own.
Esther Rantzen, the British broadcaster who founded the children's helpline Childline and became one of the best-known faces on British television through the long-running show That's Life!, has died at the age of 86.
From radio studio manager to primetime presenter
Rantzen's career in television began in the mid-1960s after she trained as a radio studio manager. She joined the BBC as a researcher on the satirical programme BBC-3, before moving to Braden's Week, a magazine show hosted by broadcaster Bernard Braden. When Braden decided to return to his native Canada, the show was reworked into a new format with Rantzen stepping into the main presenting role.
That format became That's Life!, which launched in 1973. Conceived as a revamped version of Braden's Week, the programme evolved over its 21 years on air into something distinct, mixing lighter, offbeat features with more serious investigative journalism. At its peak, the show drew audiences of more than 22 million viewers.
A mix of consumer journalism and lighter fare
Across its run, That's Life! became known for pairing hard-hitting consumer affairs segments and coverage of social issues with more whimsical content, such as recurring features on oddly shaped vegetables. One of the programme's most fondly remembered moments involved a dog named Prince, filmed appearing to say the word "sausages," which became a lasting piece of British television folklore.
Founding Childline
Beyond her work as a presenter, Rantzen was recognised for founding Childline, a confidential helpline for children and young people facing abuse or other difficulties, which grew into one of the best-known child protection services in the country.
Rantzen's career spanned several generations of British television audiences, beginning with her early roles in the 1960s and continuing through decades in front of the camera. Her death marks the end of a broadcasting career that helped shape the format of British factual television.
Sources
- From Childline to changing TV for ever: Esther Rantzen’s revolutionary life — The Guardian — Culture
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
Comments
Loading comments…
Related articles
Veteran Broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen Dies Aged 86
Rantzen, who fronted the BBC's That's Life for two decades and founded Childline, had campaigned for assisted dying in recent years.
Esther Rantzen, TV Presenter and Childline Founder, Dies Aged 86
The Bafta-winning broadcaster, who announced a lung cancer diagnosis in 2023 and became a prominent assisted-dying campaigner, has died.
Dame Esther Rantzen Profiled as That's Life! Presenter, Childline Founder and Assisted Dying Campaigner
The broadcaster presented That's Life! for two decades and went on to establish two national helplines, including Childline.
BBC should not overspend on shows such as Suits and Schitt's Creek, MPs say
An influential parliamentary committee has raised concerns about BBC spending on acquired shows as debate continues over the broadcaster's future funding model.
Tributes paid to broadcaster and campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen
The director of the Childline helpline she founded has described Dame Esther Rantzen as 'an inspirational individual' as tributes are paid to the broadcaster and campaigner.
How That's Life! Gave Esther Rantzen a Career-Defining Moment
Sir Nicholas Winton's story became national news after his appearance on the show in February 1988.