Dame Esther Rantzen, the celebrated broadcaster and founder of Childline, has delivered a profoundly moving health update, revealing that a medication she has relied upon since 2024 has now stopped working. The 85-year-old, who was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer three years ago, shared the sombre news in a personal piece for The Observer, stating she does not believe she has "much longer" to live.
A Personal Plea Amidst Legislative Battle
Rantzen's disclosure comes as she continues her passionate, years-long campaign for the legalisation of assisted dying. She expressed deep personal disappointment, noting, "I'm definitely not going to live long enough to see the assisted dying bill become law." Consequently, she revealed that if her condition becomes unbearably painful, her only recourse under current UK law would be to travel alone to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland.
"All I ask is that future generations be given the confidence and hope of a fast, pain-free death when they need it most," she wrote, framing her struggle within a broader call for legislative compassion.
Political Hurdles in the House of Lords
The assisted dying bill, which passed the House of Commons in June 2025, now faces significant challenges in the House of Lords. Supporters of the legislation allege that opponents have tabled over 1,000 amendments in what appears to be a deliberate strategy to delay the process. The aim, they claim, is to run down the parliamentary clock before the current session concludes this spring, potentially killing the bill.
This political row underscores the high-stakes environment surrounding the proposed law, which would make assisted dying legal under specific circumstances in England and Wales.
A Legacy of Advocacy and Public Service
Esther Rantzen first publicly shared her lung cancer diagnosis in January 2023, later confirming it had progressed to stage four. In 2024, she took the step of registering with Dignitas, while simultaneously criticising UK laws that could see family members prosecuted for accompanying a loved one to the Zurich facility.
Despite the gravity of her prognosis, Rantzen has spoken previously about cherishing life's simple pleasures. Last year, she reflected on living with an "extremely limited" timeframe, saying, "So now I enjoy each day as it comes as an extra bonus." She described finding joy in her cottage in the New Forest, her spring garden, and even late-night radio.
Rantzen's remarkable career includes hosting the BBC's iconic consumer show That's Life! for over two decades. Her enduring legacy of charity work began with founding Childline in 1986 to protect vulnerable children, followed by establishing The Silver Line in 2012 to combat loneliness among older people.
Her latest, heartfelt update intertwines a deeply personal health journey with a persistent public campaign, highlighting the urgent human stories behind one of the UK's most contentious ethical debates.
