ESTHER RANTZEN CBE

Early career
A graduate from Oxford, Esther’s career in journalism began with BBC Radio as a sound effects assistant.  From there she moved into television as a researcher/reporter for Braden’s Week and then in 1973 as producer/presenter of That’s Life which was on air for 21 years.  Esther has made a number of pioneering programmes on subjects such as British women’s experience of childbirth, stillbirth, mental health and child abuse.  In 1986 she invented the concept of ChildLine, and chaired its Board of trustees for 20 years.

After the merger of ChildLine with NSPCC in February 2006 Esther became President of ChildLine and a trustee of the NSPCC.

Her most recent programmes include Winton’s Children (documentary on the work of Sir Nicholas Winton), Would Like To Meet (on dating) , How To Have a Good Death (on palliative care), Excuse My French, (learning French), the BBC1 consumer series, Old Dogs, New Tricks, Grumpy Old Women and Strictly Come Dancing on which she lasted three weeks.

Current projects
Esther contributes regularly to the Daily Mail and other publications and lectures on children’s issues, broadcasting and many other topics. Having written a best-selling autobiography and a novel “A Secret Life” she is currently working on a second novel.