Rebecca Wilcox gave fans an update on her mum Dame Esther Rantzen‘s health on Tuesday’s episode of Loose Women.
The 45-year-old appeared on the ITV show to chat to Charlene White, 44, Brenda Edwards, 56, Jane Moore, 62, and Janet Street Porter, 78, about how her mum is doing after being diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2023, as well as her campaign to make assisted dying legal.
Esther, 84, revealed her lung cancer diagnosed in January that year in a statement and then in May she explained that it had reached stage four.
Charlene was keen to know how the journalist was doing, to which Rebecca told her: ‘I get in trouble because I’m overly honest.
‘I share everything. I will tell you absolutely everything about how I am, down to latest bowel movements, should you so wish.
‘But I mustn’t tell you what she’s up to because she’s private, as she should be.
Rebecca Wilcox gave fans a health update on her mum Dame Esther Rantzen ‘s health on Tuesday’s episode of Loose Women
The 45-year-old appeared on the ITV show to chat to Charlene White , 44, Brenda Edwards , 56, Jane Moore , 62, and Janet Street Porter, 78, about how her mum is doing after being diagnosed with cancer in 2023
Rebecca said of her mum: ‘But I mustn’t tell you what she’s up to because she’s private, as she should be. What she has said for me to say is she loves you, she sends her love and she’s coping’
‘What she has said for me to say is she loves you, she sends her love and she’s coping.’
It comes after the Childline founder shared her heartbreaking last wish in a new interview.
She told The Times last month: ‘If there is a heaven, it would be a very happy place.
‘It’s a lovely idea to meet Desmond again and all those I have loved and lost — my parents and grandparents, my close friends and family.’
Esther lost her late husband Desmond Wilcox, who she married in 1977, in 2000 when he passed away from a heart attack aged 69.
The pair share three kids together.
Back in May 2024 Eshter revealed an ‘amazing’ new cancer drug which delayed the spread of her disease.
She told The Sunday Times of being able to plan ahead as a result of the drug, saying: ‘I’m having to make the same decisions about my birthday — I didn’t think I’d ever be 84 and now it looks like I might be.
‘I’m keeping everything crossed for that.’
But in March this year Rebecca shared the news that the cancer drug that Esther was using was no longer working.
During an appearance on 5 News, host Julian Druker asked if the medication she was on ‘was an improvement’ only for an emotional Rebecca to admit: ‘I really wish that was true but I don’t think that’s the case anymore.’
In January 2023, Esther said in a statement: ‘In the last few weeks I have discovered that I am suffering from lung cancer which has now spread.
‘At the moment I am undergoing various tests, to assess the best treatment…
‘I have decided not to keep this secret any more because I find it difficult to skulk around various hospitals wearing an unconvincing disguise, and because I would rather you heard the facts from me…
‘As I am sure you will understand, while I am awaiting the results of the tests, I am unable to answer questions.
‘Thanks to the extraordinary skills of the medical profession there are wonderful new treatments, so I am remaining optimistic.’
Esther is arguably best known for setting up Childline in 1986, which later became part of The National Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in 2006.
Following the news of Dame Esther’s cancer diagnosis, NSPCC chief executive Sir Peter Wanless said: ‘I speak on behalf of Childline’s volunteers, staff and supporters in sending love and best wishes to Dame Esther Rantzen and her family.
‘Esther’s tireless commitment to Childline and the wider NSPCC over the years is truly inspiring and the positive impact that’s she had on children’s live is unimaginable.
‘No matter what, she has always been here for children and young people and likewise, we are here to support her during this challenging time.’
Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV1 from 12:30pm and is available to stream on ITVX.
