Dame Esther Rantzen steps down as Childline president after terminal lung cancer diagnosis

7 December 2023, 15:36 | Updated: 7 December 2023, 15:51

Dame Esther is set to step down from her presidency as she battles lung cancer.
Dame Esther is set to step down from her presidency as she battles lung cancer. Picture: Alamy

By Jenny Medlicott

Presenter Esther Rantzen has announced she is stepping down as president of Childline after her stage four lung cancer diagnosis.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Esther Rantzen, 83, was made president of Childline in 2018 after stepping down as a trustee.

However, the presenter has now announced she is now leaving the role as she battles her terminal lung cancer diagnosis, which she announced earlier this year.

She was diagnosed with lung cancer in January but announced the diagnosis in May, adding that the cancer had spread.

Dame Esther founded the counselling service in 1986. Her daughter, Rebecca Wilcox, is set to deputise for the charity in her place.

In a joint statement, Dame Esther and Ms Wilcox said: “Because of Esther’s health issues, she has sadly had to reduce her work as president, but we are both thrilled that Childline and the NSPCC have suggested that her daughter Rebecca should now deputise for her.

“She feels deeply honoured to take on this role, she has grown up with Childline and enormously values the many achievements of the service, the dedicated staff and volunteers, all working to protect and support millions of children who have nowhere else to turn.

"Rebecca has two sons, is a journalist and broadcaster and is very in touch with the challenges facing young people today. Rebecca is about to start training as a volunteer counsellor and is greatly looking forward to meeting as many volunteers and staff and visiting as many bases as possible.”

Read more: Peaky Blinders star and poet Benjamin Zephaniah dies aged 65 eight weeks after brain tumour diagnosis

Read more: Ofsted inspection 'likely contributed' to death of headteacher Ruth Perry, inquest rules

Dame Esther Rantzen is stepping down as president of Childline.
Dame Esther Rantzen is stepping down as president of Childline. Picture: Alamy

Dame Esther told The Express: "ChildLine has always had a very special place in my heart ever since we launched in 1986. 

"But I have been concerned I have not been able recently to listen to children, meet staff and volunteers and spread awareness of our crucial lifeline the way I used to, due to my own health issues.

"Rebecca and I both jumped at the idea, suggested by the NSPCC, that she should take on the role because she has known, respected and cared about ChildLine almost all her life. 

"She is just as committed to child protection as her father and I have always been. 

"She is a terrific mother herself and understands the issues facing children today. And of course, she will take with her my best wishes to every team she meets and works with."

Peter Wanless, chief executive of the NSPCC, said: “Due to health reasons Esther is taking a step back as the president of Childline.

“Everyone at Childline and the wider NSPCC family sends her our very best wishes. In the interim, I am pleased to confirm that her daughter Rebecca Wilcox will be deputising for her as the president of Childline”.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The plane, which was carrying 80 people, slid down onto the icy runway at Toronto Pearson International Airport before bursting into flames

Horrifying video shows moment Delta plane crashes on tarmac and bursts into flames at Toronto airport

Healey's comments came following Russia-US Peake talks in Saudi Arabia.

UK facing 'new era of threat' from Russia, Defence Secretary says as he unveils ‘biggest military shake up in 50 years’

Passengers escape Flipped over Delta plane after it crashed while landing in Toronto

'We were hanging upside down like bats': Survivors reveal fear and chaos inside flipped over Delta plane

England's top judge slams Starmer and Badenoch over Gaza family immigration comments

England's top judge slams Starmer and Badenoch over Gaza family immigration comments

Craig and Lindsay Foreman

British couple on round-the-world motorbike adventure charged with espionage by Iranian authorities

An assistant referee has been charged with child sexual offences.

Assistant referee for FA Cup and football league games charged with child sexual offence

Corinna Schumacher, right, has broken her silence on the case involving a plot to reveal Formula One star Michael Schumacher's health secrets.

Michael Schumacher's wife breaks silence after three men guilty of blackmail plot to reveal F1 legend's health secrets

Doctor Who

Doctor Who faces axe as Nucti Gatwa 'quits' show amid drop in ratings over 'woke' storylines

Pope Francis

Pope Francis cancels weekend engagements as hospital stay extended

Bristol, UK. 19th Mar, 2020. Petrol now under £1 a litre as the drop in oil prices hits the forecourt. 99.9p a litre at Costco, Avonmouth, Bristol. Credit: Julian Kemp/Alamy Live News

Ten people injured after 'noxious substance' thrown in Costco as police hold teenage suspect

Alhaurin El Grande Malaga Province Spain Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación

Heartbreak as Brit pensioner, 90, 'starves to death in her Spanish home' as son, 63, 'found dead in property'

E-scooters are currently illegal to use on the public highways including pavements.

E-scooters blamed for 'shocking' surge in uninsured teen riders with 2,000% increase in offences

Thames Water has won court approval for a £3 billion emergency debt package as the nation's biggest water company scrambles to avoid collapse.

Thames Water handed £3 billion lifeline as court approves restructuring plans to save it from financial collapse

US and Russia begin talks about Ukraine in Saudi Arabia

Vladimir Putin 'ready to meet Zelenskyy', Moscow says as Russia-US peace talks underway

A drone view of Everton's new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock during an Everton under-18 friendly match test event.

Everton's new stadium makes its grand debut after £800million and four years

Job Centre Plus, London Road, Twickenham, Greater London, England, Great Britain, United Kingdom UK, Europe

UK wages see unexpected rise as unemployment rate holds steady at 4.4 per cent