// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Tributes paid to 'inspirational' presenter and campaigner Esther Rantzen
Watch: Dame Esther Rantzen, broadcaster, campaigner and charity founder, dies aged 86
Dame Esther Rantzen was "an inspirational individual" who was "quite a force" as a campaigner, according to the director of Childline, the children's helpline founded by the broadcaster in the 1980s.
"She inspired people, she energised people, she persuaded people," Shaun Friel told BBC Breakfast. "She had a great mind and she had obviously that natural journalistic ability."
Dame Esther, who died on Wednesday at the age of 86, was known for presenting BBC consumer show That's Life! for 21 years, and for campaigning on issues including child welfare and assisted dying.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham led the tributes, saying the veteran broadcaster had "changed countless lives".
Watch: How TV presenter Dame Esther Rantzen set up Childline
BBC director general Matt Brittin also paid tribute to Dame Esther, describing her as a "legend of British broadcasting" whose contribution to public life was "immeasurable".
"Her warmth, spirit and fight for justice and action that we saw on our screens continued long after the programme ended, with a lifetime of campaigning where she changed the lives of millions," he said.
Fellow broadcaster and money saving expert Martin Lewis called Dame Esther an "inspiration" and a "pioneer" whose "impact and memory will long continue to shine".
Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the NSPCC, which runs Childline, said Dame Esther had gone to "exceptional lengths to ensure children and young people across the UK had somewhere to turn when they were in need of help".