We are deeply saddened by the death of Childline's founder and president, Dame Esther Rantzen.
Following the passing of Dame Esther, we would like to remember her and her pioneering work as founder and president of Childline.
A self-confessed maverick, Esther's energy and tenacity were unwavering. She remained humble about her own legacy and achievements, and her empathy was unparalleled.
Esther's commitment to improving children's lives spanned decades. It was 16 March 1986 when a TV episode of That’s Life, presented by Esther, focused on childhood sexual abuse.
Afterwards, a helpline was set up – in 48 hours, it received around 100 calls and thousands of letters were sent in. Many of them were from abused children describing their pain for the first time.
Esther knew that this meant there were countless other children and young people suffering, in fear, and with no safe place to turn. By 30 October 1986, in an incredible feat of energy and drive, Childline was launched as a nationwide, 24/7 helpline.
It was a light in the dark for children who didn’t feel they had a voice, or that their suffering would be taken seriously. And it shattered the silence around child abuse forever.
For almost 40 years, Childline has helped children in the UK and Channels Islands over 6 million times with counselling sessions, and millions more through its online resources. It operates in 12 bases all over the UK, and the helpline model has been replicated in 150 countries across the world. None of this would have been possible without Esther’s vision, activism, and tireless championing of children.
Esther's contribution and impact is widely recognised today. In July 2025, she was honoured with the Daniel Phelan Award for Outstanding Achievement at the Charity Awards. The award recognised her groundbreaking work founding helplines, including Childline, as well as her campaigning and activism.
Her achievements were many, yet Esther's focus was never on herself – it was always on children. She would put herself in the shoes of children who were in distress, emphasising how courageous they were for reaching out for help.
Esther held dear countless stories from her time at Childline. Now, all of us at the NSPCC and Childline will hold dear our memories of Esther, and of everything she did for children.