Esther Rantzen quits Childline after 37 years in heartbreaking health update

07 December 2023 , 09:51

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Dame Esther Rantzen quits Childline after 37 years in heartbreaking health update (Image: Steve Reigate)

Dame Esther Rantzen has stepped back as the president of Childline, the counselling service for children and young people, after 37 years at the helm.

The 83-year-old presenter was given the role of Childline President when she stood down as a trustee in 2018, but had to quit her current role due to her ongoing health issues. Earlier this year, Dame Esther announced she had been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. Her daughter Rebecca Wilcox will be deputising for her at the charity she founded back in 1986.

Dame Esther and her daughter Rebecca said: "Because of Esther’s health issues, she has sadly had to reduce her work as President, but we are both thrilled that Childline and the NSPCC have suggested that her daughter Rebecca should now deputize for her. She feels deeply honoured to take on this role, she has grown up with Childline and enormously values the many achievements of the service, the dedicated staff and volunteers, all working to protect and support millions of children who have nowhere else to turn.

Dame Esther found the service in the 80s (SWNS.com)

She stepped down as president of Childline due to health reasons (SWNS.com)

‌"Rebecca has two sons, is a journalist and broadcaster and is very in touch with the challenges facing young people today. Rebecca is about to start training as a volunteer counsellor and is greatly looking forward to meeting as many volunteers and staff and visiting as many bases as possible. ”

Dame Esther founded the counselling service in 1986 after an episode of the BBC show, That's Life! Viewers were asked if they would take part in a survey in an edition of the show after she suggested the BBC create a programme to detect children at risk before their lives were in danger.

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A helpline was soon created so that children could call for help.‌ Childline merged with the NSPCC in 2006 and then in 2009 expanded to add an online service. Since then, nearly 6 million children have been supported by Childline over the phone and many more have accessed help from the service’s online resources

The incredible service deals with many issues and concerns including child abuse, mental illness, divorce, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, neglect, psychological abuse and much more.

Peter Wanless, NSPCC CEO, said: “Due to health reasons Esther is taking a step back as the President of Childline. Everyone at Childline and the wider NSPCC family sends her our very best wishes. In the interim, I am pleased to confirm that her daughter Rebecca Wilcox will be deputising for her as the President of Childline.

"Rebecca has grown up with Childline and, I know, enormously values the service’s volunteers and staff who support tens of thousands of children every year. For more than 35 years Dame Esther Rantzen has been the face and the heart of Childline, working tirelessly to set up, build and promote the service as a place where children and young people across the UK can go for free and confidential help and support.

"It is impossible to put into words the gratitude we feel for everything she does. We welcome Rebecca to her new role while we continue to keep Esther updated on all the great things that Childline continues to deliver.”

Zara Woodcock