Esther Rantzen's daughter has spoken publicly for the first time about her mother's terminal cancer diagnosis, admitting she had been in denial about the severity of the illness. The broadcaster and campaigner, 83, revealed in January that she has stage four lung cancer.
In an interview, Rebecca Wilcox said she initially struggled to accept the news, describing a period of denial. She explained that her mother's positive attitude and determination to continue working made it easy to forget the gravity of her condition.
Wilcox, a journalist herself, said the family has been focusing on making the most of their time together. She praised her mother's resilience and noted that Rantzen remains actively involved in her charity work, including Childline and The Silver Line.
The revelation comes as Rantzen continues to advocate for assisted dying, a cause she has championed since her diagnosis. She has stated she would consider traveling to Switzerland for an assisted death if her pain becomes unbearable.
Wilcox acknowledged the difficulty of discussing end-of-life plans but emphasised the importance of open conversations within the family. She said her mother's candidness has helped them prepare emotionally for what lies ahead.
