Esther Rantzen's Strictly Come Dancing partner Anton Du Beke leads tributes following her death

Dame Esther Rantzen has been remembered by the likes of Anton Du Beke and Prime Minister Andy Burnham following her death today at the age of 86. The broadcaster and campaigner had been living with cancer since 2023.

Back in 2004, she was on the second ever series of Strictly Come Dancing, on which she was partnered with Du Beke - who has now called her "an extraordinary friend".

Posting on Instagram, he said: "I’m deeply saddened to hear about the passing of the wonderful Esther Rantzen. We first met when we partnered each other in the second series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2004 and remained firmed friends ever since.

"I was also lucky enough to have the benefit of her wisdom as she became a valued mentor to me when I started out in television. Her breadth of knowledge and passion is unrivalled, a forerunner for women on television, the ultimate breaker of the glass ceiling.

"Esther had an extraordinary career - what an extraordinary woman and an extraordinary friend. She will be greatly missed and my sincere thoughts are with her family."

Posting on X, Burnham wrote: "Very sad to hear that Dame Esther Rantzen has died. Through her decades of campaigning, including founding Childline and The Silver Line, she changed countless lives and gave a voice to people who often went unheard.

"And I will always admire the characteristic courage and openness with which she spoke about her illness, making us all think about the difficult questions we face at the end of life. My thoughts are with her family and all who loved her."

Elaine Paige wrote on Instagram: "So very sad to hear of the death of Esther Rantzen. A great broadcaster, journalist and campaigner.

"Her Childline, the confidential counselling service for young people in distress, helped so many children and her Silverline was aimed at older people suffering loneliness and isolation. Esther also fought to the end for assisted dying, but was unsuccessful. Rest in peace dear Esther."

Presenter Anna Williamson called her "somebody truly iconic", also writing on Instagram: "She was a true fighter. A true pioneer. And a genuinely incredible person.

"Rest in peace Dame Esther. The millions of children who have been helped by your vision & passion is something truly truly special."

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who led an attempt in Parliament to legalise assisted dying, said in a statement (via BBC News): "From growing up watching her on TV to seeing her work tirelessly for the causes she cared so passionately about, like ChildLine and The Silver Line, she has been a constant source of inspiration and admiration.

"Her positivity and determination never to give in gave me strength, but more importantly helped all those others like her who were confronting a terminal illness to keep going in the knowledge that they were not alone. Esther was a strong, warm and compassionate woman and a fighter to the end."

Rantzen's children Miriam Wilcox, Rebecca Wilcox and Joshua Wilcox confirmed the sad news of her passing earlier tonight, saying in a statement: "Our adored mother, Dame Esther Rantzen, died today. Her legacy of compassion and understanding will live on in her charities Childline and the Silverline, and through those of us who were lucky enough to love and be loved by her.

"We are grateful she is finally at rest with her beloved husband, Desmond Wilcox, but we will miss her immeasurably. She was our sunshine. We will always remember her endless capacity for joy, her ability to comfort every heartache, her beautiful way with words and her expert guidance in all things."

They added: "We hope the humour, ingenuity and audacity she brought to her work may continue to inspire you as it will do us. We kindly ask that we are given privacy and time to grieve."

Shaun is an Evening News Editor at Digital Spy, with over a decade of experience reporting on all things pop culture. He has written for outlets including Metro, Attitude, Huffington Post, The Mirror, Yahoo!, Pink News and Express Online, specialising in TV, movies, soaps, music and LGBTQ+ issues. He is also a BAFTA Rocliffe-winning scriptwriter, having written episodes of the soap Hollyoaks, the official Steps musical Here & Now and multiple Offie Award-nominated plays. He studied English Literature and Drama at the University of East Anglia, and will happily talk at length about Desperate Housewives to anyone who'll listen.