In Pictures: Esther Rantzen, the formidable campaigner for young and old

Dame Esther Rantzen’s drive helped her launch key charities promoting the welfare of young and old alike.However, she first became widely known to viewers in That’s Life, a programme that blended innuendo and comedic moments with hard-hitting campaigns.The programme, hosted by a young Dame Esther, would effortlessly skip from a mirthful item about strangely shaped vegetables to consumer issues or welfare scandals with the young presenter surrounded by a supporting cast of men.She had unexpectedly moved to the front of the camera after spending some of the 1960s in backroom roles.Dame Esther Rantzen during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant (Jonathan Brady/PA)PA ArchiveDame Esther Rantzen (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)PA WireHer charity work left an undeniable legacy.A damehood was bestowed on Dame Esther following charity campaigns for young and old alike.The Silver Line helpline was aimed at combating loneliness for the elderly, a cause that Dame Esther felt strongly about.However, her greatest achievement was Childline, giving abused children the chance to report their plight by picking up the phone.The campaign started in 1986 and Dame Esther remained involved until the end.The then-duchess of Cornwall with Esther Rantzen during a visit to the Blackpool offices of the Silver Line (Richard Martin-Roberts/PA)PA ArchiveThat’s Life presenter Esther Rantzen with her award for Female Personality of the Year award, which she received from the Royal Television Society (PA)PA ArchiveA Variety Club gathering featuring Esther Rantzen and Gordon Jackson (ITV Personality); Bruce Forsyth (Show Business Personality of 1975); Simon Gray (Show Business writer, for his play Otherwise Engaged); David Jacobs (BBC Radio Personality) and Alan Bates (stage actor) (PA)PA ArchiveEsther Rantzen attending The world Premiere of The Time Of Their Lives at Curzon Mayfair (Ian West/PA)PA ArchiveThat’s Life was a show Dame Esther made her own with a supporting cast including Richard Stilgoe who would sing ditties on the piano while veteran performer Cyril Fletcher would host a segment featuring often innuendo-infused oddities viewers had sent in.Dame Esther was the undisputed star of the show, however, and would also venture out of the studio to do vox-pop segments.Dame Esther Rantzen, as she has urged more people to volunteer for ChildLine as the service she founded marked its 30th anniversary (Julie Howden/PA)PA MediaDame Esther Rantzen with a hearing dog puppy, at The Hearing Dogs Awards (Matt Alexander/PA)PA ArchiveShe married well-known BBC presenter Desmond Wilcox who became the father of her children.As well as her charity work, she would often appear to promote her charities or to take part in programmes like Strictly Come Dancing, I’m A Celebrity or Celebrity First Dates.She even tried running for Parliament in 2010 as an independent in Luton, but failed to win voters’ approval.Emily Alice with her parents Esther Rantzen and BBC executive Desmond Wilcox (Archive/PA)PA ArchiveEsther Rantzen and her daughter Emily arriving at Buckingham Palace for a reception (Sang Tan/AP)PA ArchiveEsther Rantzen at her home in Hampstead, north London, after she was awarded a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (John Stillwell/PA)PA ArchiveOther TV ventures included Hearts Of Gold and The Big Time which helped people see their dreams come true.Read MoreShe also brought to wide attention the work of Nicholas Winton who had rescued many children from the clutches of the Nazis.Esther Rantzen is made a Dame by the Princess Royal (Anthony Devlin/PA)PA ArchiveIndependent candidate Dame Esther Rantzen in the Bury Park area in Luton ahead of the general election count in the town centre (Chris Radburn/PA)PA Archive