That is 0 articles you have read today.
The Aporia is free and carries no advertising, so readers are the only
thing paying for it. If you are getting this much out of it, a small
donation is what keeps it independent.
Daily limit reached
You have read 0 articles today.
That is more than the 15 a day The Aporia gives away,
and well past what it can carry on nothing. Your allowance resets at
midnight.
There is no advertising here and nothing about you is sold, so readers
are the only thing paying for it. If the site is worth this much of
your day, it is worth a few dollars.
Everything else stays open: the
maps, the
directory and
search do
not count against this, and neither does re-opening something you have
already read today.
Story summary
Dame Esther Rantzen, a prominent British broadcaster known for her work on That's Life! and founding Childline, died at age 86 after battling stage four lung cancer. Her family paid tribute to her as "the most wonderful mother" and a "cherished grandmother," praising her "endless capacity for joy." Rantzen became famous in the 1970s with That's Life!, a show she helped devise that tackled consumer issues and later expanded into investigating life-and-death matters. In 1986, she founded Childline, a helpline providing counseling services to children in distress, which has since helped millions of young people across Britain. More recently, Rantzen became an advocate for assisted dying after her cancer diagnosis, criticizing the current laws that criminalize helping terminally ill individuals with no cure. She died surrounded by family at her home in the New Forest on Wednesday. Tributes from celebrities and public figures highlighted her significant contributions to journalism and social causes, including Dame Elaine Paige and Lorraine Kelly, who praised Rantzen's work for children through Childline and later initiatives like The Silver Line aimed at reducing loneliness among older people. Despite her advocacy efforts, the proposed laws allowing assisted dying in England and Wales did not pass, with Rantzen describing it as a "tragic day." Her legacy is remembered as one of compassion and understanding, inspiring many to continue her mission of helping those in need.
Written for “Dame Esther Rantzen Dies Aged 86” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 15 other(s) covering the same event.
Dame Esther Rantzen's emotional goodbye letter revealed following death: 'All good things must come to an end'
asserted
things → reveal → end
On Wednesday, September, her family announced her death in a statement, in which they paid tribute to the “most wonderful mother” and “cherished grandmother” who will be remembered for her “endless capacity for joy”.
asserted
who → announce → joy
The veteran TV presenter, known for shows such as That’s Life!, was diagnosed with lung cancer in January 2023.
asserted
presenter → know → January
Months later, she revealed that it had reached stage four.
asserted
it → reveal → stage
In an emotional letter released following her death, Dame Esther told her family, friends and fans that she would “see you on the other side”.
asserted
she → release → side
She wrote: "Dear Everybody, I am so sorry I cannot send you each individual thanks for the fun, the support and the help you have been to me.
asserted
you → write → me
“I have been immensely lucky in the friendship and the professional advice I have had from you which has enabled me to live such a long and happy life.
asserted
which → have → life
“If any of you would like to donate something to charity in my name as a celebration of what we have had together, I do know that the Dignitas charity in Switzerland is facing serious challenges and would be very grateful.
asserted
charity → like → challenges
And Cathy would like me to pay tribute to Cats Protection of course.
asserted
me → like → course
“Sadly, all good things come to an end, as they say.
asserted
they → come → end
So I particularly wanted to say goodbye and thank you so very, very much.
asserted
I → want → you
Perhaps I will see you eventually, on the other side.
asserted
I → see → side
I do hope so.
asserted
I → hope → ?
She was awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting in 1991, a CBE for services to children in 2006, and in the 2015 New Years Honours was made a Dame in recognition of her charity work.
asserted
She → award → work
Read More
Dame Esther also appeared on the second series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, partnering Anton Du Beke, where she made it to week three.
asserted
she → read → week
In her later years, she became a prominent voice in the attempt to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales in recent years, and branded it a “tragic day” when the assisted dying Bill fell.
asserted
Bill → become → it
The Aporia
