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Esther Rantzen, who has died aged 86, broke all kinds of new ground through a long career. As presenter of That's Life, a singularly odd BBC magazine programme, from 1973 until 1994, she championed a blend of light and serious material that had not previously occupied adjacent airtime. The show would move from hard-hitting reports to utter fluff in the flicker of an eyelash. That contrast continued to define her in later years as she alternated light entertainment with campaigns on profoundly important topics such as assisted dying. Here are 10 of her most memorable moments.
Esther Rantzen, who has died aged 86, broke all kinds of new ground through a long career. As presenter of That's Life, a singularly odd BBC magazine programme, from 1973 until 1994, she championed a blend of light and serious material that had not previously occupied adjacent airtime.
That's Life Highlights and Childline
The show would move from hard-hitting reports to utter fluff in the flicker of an eyelash. That contrast continued to define her in later years as she alternated light entertainment with campaigns on profoundly important topics such as assisted dying. Here are 10 of her most memorable moments. The 'talking dog' (1973) Rantzen introduces one of the most famous (infamous) That's Life segments.
A viewer's dog says the word "sausages" and then attempts "Esther". Bat Soup (1981) A classic bit of oddball That's Life. Rantzen asks unwitting citizens to try the above delicacy and ends up being "arrested" for obstruction. Mimi, the stuffed cat (1981) Mimi, That's Life fan, complains about botched taxidermy.
Are you posh? (1986) It is always about class with the English. Rantzen and the team visit Park Lane in search of the upper crust. Rantzen launches Childline (1986) Rantzen was founder of the service that offered a helpline for children in danger.
Winton, Strictly and Political Campaigns
It still operates today. Nicholas Winton meets the children he saved from the Holocaust (1988) The British stockbroker who arranged for the evacuation of endangered children, mostly Jewish, from Nazi-threatened Czechoslovakia movingly encounters the grown survivors. An early participant in Strictly Come Dancing (2004) Rantzen partnered Anton Du Beke in the second series.
"If the judges don't give you a high score, don't worry, Esther, that's life," Bruce Forsyth quipped. On I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! (2008) Rantzen was the fifth to be ejected in the series won by Joe Swash.
Rantzen fails to be elected to parliament (2010) In 2010, following controversy surrounding MPs' expenses, she stood for election in Luton South, ultimately losing her deposit. Rantzen talks about 'assisted dying' (2024) After announcing in 2023 that her lung cancer had reached stage four, Rantzen continued to campaign for the UK to pass "assisted dying" legislation.
Esther Rantzen That's Life BBC Childline Assisted Dying
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Dame Esther Rantzen Dies Aged 86 After Terminal Lung Cancer BattleDame Esther Rantzen, the former presenter of BBC current affairs programme That's Life! and founder of Childline, has died at the age of 86. The broadcaster and assisted dying campaigner was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 2023. Her family paid tribute to her as a devoted mother, cherished grandmother and joyful person. Rantzen had planned to end her life at Dignitas in Switzerland but later said she had become too physically frail to travel. She supported proposed UK legislation allowing assisted dying in certain circumstances.
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