Entertainment
Dame Esther Rantzen, 82, reveals she has lung cancer which ‘has spread’ – but is remaining ‘optimistic’-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro
‘I want to express my profound thanks to everyone who has made my life so joyful.’
Dame Esther Rantzen found out in recent weeks that she has lung cancer (Picture: Getty)
Dame Esther Rantzen has revealed that she has lung cancer.
The 82-year-old broadcaster, long-time activist and founder of charities Childline and The Silver Line, confirmed the news on Sunday.
However, the star is remaining ‘optimistic.’
Dame Esther said: ‘In the last few weeks I have discovered that I am suffering from lung cancer which has now spread. At the moment I am undergoing various tests, to assess the best treatment.
‘I have decided not to keep this secret any more because I find it difficult to skulk around various hospitals wearing an unconvincing disguise, and because I would rather you heard the facts from me.’
She continued to the PA news agency: ‘At the age of 82, this diagnosis has prompted me to look back over the years, and I want to express my profound thanks to everyone who has made my life so joyful, filled with fun, and with inspiration.’
The broadcaster is remaining hopeful (Picture: PA)
Dame Esther went on to declare her love for her family: ‘My three children Miriam, Rebecca and Joshua have been the most wonderful support, company, and source of love and laughter and I am deeply grateful to them.’
She added that her friends have been ‘amazing’ and ‘have created memories which sustain me and give me strength.’
Praising her colleagues in broadcasting, journalism, the voluntary sector, and in ‘many other organisations’, she said it has been a ‘constant pleasure’ and they have ‘amazed’ her with ‘their tolerance of my wild ideas and awful jokes.’
‘I have been continuously inspired by the courageous children, older people and viewers who have trusted me with their life stories. I have always tried to live up to that trust,’ Dame Esther shared.
Dame Esther thanked her friends, family, and colleagues for their support (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Concluding, she explained that she is currently ‘unable to answer questions’ about her diagnosis, as she awaits test results.
‘Thanks to the extraordinary skills of the medical profession there are wonderful new treatments, so I am remaining optimistic,’ she ended, on a positive note.
Dame Esther, who was a trailblazer for female broadcasters, became a household name during her career at the BBC.
She is best-known for presenting That’s Life! – a programme featuring a mix of investigations, topical issues and entertainment – from 1973 to 1994.
The 82-year-old was made a Dame in 2015 (Picture: Nils Jorgensen/REX)
In addition to her success as a journalist and broadcaster, Dame Esther is also the founder of children’s charity Childline, which she established in 1986.
The charity offers counselling and support for children and young people, up until the age of 19, in the UK.
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Dame Esther also set up The Silver Line in 2013, a charity which supports elderly people in the UK who are battling loneliness.
In 2021, Dame Esther received the lifetime achievement award at the Women of the Year Awards for her charity work.
She was made a DBE in 2015 for services to children and older people through ChildLine and The Silver Line.
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
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