Dame Esther Rantzen quits Childline after 37 years in tragic health update

Dame Esther Rantzen has taken a step back as the president of Childline - the counselling service for children and young people - after 37 years.The 83-year-old presenter took the role of Childline President in 2018 after she stood down as a trustee, reports the Mirror.However, it's now been announced that the star has been forced to quit her current role due to her ongoing health issues.Earlier this year, Dame Esther announced she'd been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.Her daughter Rebecca Wilcox will be deputising for her at the charity she founded back in 1986.Dame Esther and her daughter Rebecca said: "Because of Esther’s health issues, she has sadly had to reduce her work as President, but we are both thrilled that Childline and the NSPCC have suggested that her daughter Rebecca should now deputize for her.

She feels deeply honoured to take on this role, she has grown up with Childline and enormously values the many achievements of the service, the dedicated staff and volunteers, all working to protect and support millions of children who have nowhere else to turn.‌"Rebecca has two sons, is a journalist and broadcaster and is very in touch with the challenges facing young people today.

Rebecca is about to start training as a volunteer counsellor and is greatly looking forward to meeting as many volunteers and staff and visiting as many bases as possible. ”In 1986, Dame Esther founded the counselling service after an episode of the BBC show, That's Life!

Viewers were asked to take part in a survey in an edition of the show after she suggested the BBC create a programme to detect children at risk before their lives were in danger.A helpline was soon created so that children could call for help.‌ Childline merged