The broadcaster opens up about personal attacks she faced while presenting on television
Dame Esther Rantzen has shared how she faced harsh criticism throughout her television career, revealing that she was “attacked for everything” during her time as a TV presenter.
The 83-year-old, best known for hosting That’s Life! from 1973 to 1994, discussed her experiences with criticism in a candid interview on the Rosebud podcast, hosted by Gyles Brandreth. Rantzen admitted that the barrage of negative feedback felt like “having one’s guts torn out,” a deeply painful experience for the veteran broadcaster.
She explained that much of the criticism revolved around her appearance, voice, and the things she said on air. “It was astonishing,” Rantzen said. “I was attacked for everything – what I looked like, what I sounded like, what I said.”
Rantzen also expressed her belief that she didn’t have the right “look” for television, feeling that she wasn’t “pretty enough” and even describing herself as “a bit strange” due to her appearance, including her prominent teeth. She admitted she never saw herself as having a place in the television industry, despite her significant contributions.
The broadcaster, who is currently battling stage four lung cancer, also shared her advocacy for a free vote in Parliament on assisted dying. In December, she revealed she had joined the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland, contemplating the option if her condition worsens.
Dame Esther is widely recognised for founding Childline in 1986, a service that became part of the NSPCC and continues to support children in need today.
