UK broadcaster and Childline founder Esther Rantzen dies at 86

UK broadcaster and founder of Childline, Esther Rantzen, has passed away at the age of 86, her family announced on Wednesday. Rantzen, who broke barriers in the male-dominated world of 1970s television, dedicated much of her career to creating helplines for children and the elderly, as well as advocating for assisted dying. After battling terminal lung cancer, Rantzen had pleaded with the UK parliament to pass a law allowing assisted dying, a cause she championed even up until the end.

Despite her physical fragility, she had expressed her desire to have the option of traveling to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland for a "good death." However, her wishes were not granted, as MPs rejected the bill on a vote. Rantzen, known for her beloved BBC program "That's Life!" which reached audiences of 15-20 million viewers, was remembered by her family as a "most wonderful mother" and "cherished grandmother" with a "endless capacity for joy".

Childline, the telephone helpline for children and teenagers that she founded in 1986, continues to operate under the NSPCC children's charity, offering support to young people on any issue and handling over 185,000 calls annually.