Dame Esther Rantzen, the former presenter of That’s Life!, has raised concerns about the potential role of asbestos in her lung cancer. Having worked in the Lime Grove studios, one of the BBC buildings where staff were allegedly exposed to asbestos, for many years, Dame Esther questions whether this contributed to her illness. She has also considered the impact of London pollution. While her doctors have ruled out smoking as the cause of her cancer, they have not dismissed the possibility of asbestos exposure or pollution. The BBC has already paid out £1.64 million in damages to the families of 11 former staff who died from cancer linked to asbestos in their buildings.
Now in stage 4 of her lung cancer, Dame Esther reflects on her life while making the most of each day. Spending time in her garden, she appreciates the fresh air, birds, and summer flowers. However, she wonders if her cancer resulted from the years of exposure to asbestos in the BBC building or from the air pollution she encountered as a Londoner. At the age of 83, she accepts that she will eventually succumb to something.
The BBC is known to have had 18 facilities with asbestos issues, including Lime Grove and Television Centre. Lime Grove, where Dame Esther worked, was demolished in 1993, two years after the BBC ceased operations there. Asbestos insulation in buildings was banned by the government in 1999. Mesothelioma, the deadly form of lung cancer associated with asbestos exposure, usually takes more than 20 years to manifest symptoms. The BBC has settled with the families of the 11 former staff members who died from mesothelioma.
Dame Esther’s close friend, Angela Rippon, stated that despite the advanced stage of Dame Esther’s illness, she remains positive and happy in her home with her family. In May of this year, Dame Esther shared her cancer treatment journey, explaining that she found it difficult to hide her visits to hospitals. She was receiving treatment with a new medication and expected to have a scan soon to assess its effectiveness.
Dame Esther gained fame as a trailblazing female broadcaster on That’s Life! She is also recognized for her philanthropic work, including founding Childline in 1986 and establishing The Silver Line in 2013. In 2021, she received a lifetime achievement award for her charitable contributions. She was honored with a DBE in 2015 for her services to children and older people through Childline and The Silver Line.
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