Esther Rantzen CBE

Left to right:
· Nicholas Parsons OBE, Host of the Awards
· Esther Rantzen CBE
· Anne Longfield OBE, Chief Executive, 4Children
· Matt Linford, PR Manager, Wedgwood

Esther Rantzen became a household name in 1973 when she was producer and presenter of the TV programme, “That’s Life!”. The programme drew audiences of more than 18 million and was on the air for twenty-one years. However, she also made a number of pioneering programmes on subjects such as British women’s experience of childbirth, stillbirth, mental health, transplantation and drugs. It was whilst preparing a programme on child abuse in 1986 that she created ChildLine, a telephone helpline for children in trouble or danger who dare not ask for help elsewhere. ChildLine was an inspiration and is still an amazing success. It now has eleven counselling centres across the UK and answers more than one and a half million calls a year.

Esther Rantzen has received a number of professional awards for her achievements in television, including the Lifetime Achievement Award for Women in Film and Television and was the first woman to receive the Dimbleby Award for factual presentation from the British Academy of Film and Television. The Variety Club of Great Britain made her the BBC TV Personality of the Year, she has received the Snowdon Award for services to disabled people, and in 1991 was awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting. Most recently she was awarded a CBE for services to children and young people.

Esther continues to work actively with a variety of charities in addition to ChildLine. She helped to create the Association of Young People with ME, of which she is President and has served on a number of Government committees, including the National Consumer Council, the Home Office Fear of Crime Committee, the Health Education Authority and the Campaign for Quality Television.