Dame Esther Rantzen dies aged 86
Humanists UK mourns Dame Esther Rantzen (1940–2026) Esther was a great champion of human dignity. She approached her final years with the same fearless determination that defined her career of advocacy, using her own experience to shine a light on the suffering caused by our outdated laws.
Humanists UK43She understood that the right to choose a peaceful death is a fundamental human freedom. Her legacy is not just in the charities she founded, but in the compassion she awakened in the public consciousness regarding the end of life. She changed the debate, and we are deeply grateful for her courage.
At Number 1, it’s Perry Groves2She’ll find Victor Lewis-Smith & give him hell.
moirahall5.bsky.social1What a woman and what an inspiration! ❤️
Esther Rantzen hosts Sir Nicholas Winton, who saved hundreds of children from the Holocaust youtu.be/OqqbM1B-mPY?...
Kate Bevan71I was in the audience for that - I was the first newspaper reporter to interview Nicholas Winton, thanks to Esther.
Malcolm Burtt #IStandWithUkraine #WokeAndProud4My son's school had Winton's son Nick as a speaker earlier this month. He showed the footage from That's Life and, as happens every time I see it, the tears came. I remember seeing it when it first broadcast when I was still a child. It was incredible to me even then.
Will Voitus van Hamme4Unforgettable piece of (television) history.
Lucy Abbotts 4This is such a stunning moment.
Jeff2Got grit in my eye with that airing.
Safety🏴🇬🇧🇺🇦🇪🇺💚2A truly exceptional bit of telly
Ann Bartow32I have watched this a million times and probably will one million more. Do the right thing and you can help change the world.
Richie Morgan9That’s Life was wild. It would be a segment about a dog who can say “sausages” and then *this*
Ham Roids 🎃7Look at what one person can do. Think of what you can do where you are, and just do it. Even if it feels so small in the face of such daunting odds. There are people now who need your help, whatever you can do. Live in such a way that you don't grow old wishing you'd done more.
Lizzi Collinge MP4This must count as one of the most moving things ever to be broadcast. Even thinking of it brings a tear to my eye.
I still remember Esther Rantzen on That’s Life holding up a small ad from a Local Authority in the early 70s advertising for an Equal Pay Officer but offering a lower wage for women. I’m part of generation of teenagers mildly radicalised by amusing trivia.
Den of Scholes3Do you remember the campaign about kidney beans poisoning? Or am I going mad?
NG2Making a serious point in an amusing way seemed to be her thing
John Brown2I auditioned for Junior That’s Life and my French exchange student came with me to London. She spoke to him In French and organised a taxi to take us round loads of tourist attractions on the way back to a Euston. Such a kind woman.
