Facing Cancer with Grace

Dame Esther Rantzen has opened up about the latest turn in her cancer journey, revealing that the medication which had been helping her manage her terminal illness is no longer effective.

The 84-year-old broadcaster, known across the UK for founding the children’s helpline Childline and for decades of work in television, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in 2023. In the months that followed, she shared that a new drug was giving her more strength and time than doctors initially expected.

Now, however, Rantzen says that chapter is coming to a close.

“Recently my wonder drug has stopped working,” she told The Times. “I am trying a different treatment. Some days are better than others.”

Despite the shift in her condition, Dame Esther continues to face life with remarkable grace and clarity. She spends her days surrounded by the peaceful beauty of her New Forest cottage, finding joy in quizzes, antique shows, and even late-night radio during bouts of insomnia. Every day, she says, feels like an unexpected bonus.

She has also become increasingly involved in campaigning for a cause close to her heart — assisted dying. After revealing she had registered with the Swiss clinic Dignitas, her openness on the subject sparked a national conversation. Though she hadn’t planned to take on a new fight at this stage of life, Rantzen says she’s committed to making sure others have the right to choose a dignified end when the time comes.

In her reflections, she often returns to what she considers most important: love. The love of her late husband, Desmond Wilcox, their children, and her closest friends continues to guide and sustain her.