Dame Esther Rantzen quits Childline after 37 years due to ill health

Dame Esther Rantzen is stepping back from Childline after almost four decades.

The 83-year-old presenter has been part of the organisation - which provides a counseling service for children and young people - for 37 years, and became president when she stepped down as a trustee in 2018, while she is now having to reduce her work load due to poor poor health after being diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in May this year.

Her daughter Rebecca Wilcox will now deputise her at the charity Dame Esther founded in 1986.

In a statement, the mother and daughter 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 deputise 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.

"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.”

The service was founded by Dame Esther in 1986 following an episode of BBC show 'That's Life!' when viewers were asked to take part in a survey about the creation of a programme aimed at detecting children at risk before they were in danger.

The helpline was created to let children phone for help, and in 2006 Childline merged with the NSPCC, while it added an online service three years later.

Peter Wanless, NSPCC CEO, said: “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.”