BBC radio host mortified after huge blunder with terminally ill Dame Esther Rantzen

BBC Radio 4 presenter Amol Rajan really messed up during his interview with Dame Esther Rantzen this morning.

The broadcaster had to say sorry after he stumbled over his words, leaving him flustered and Dame Esther laughing uncomfortably.

In January 2023, the 84-year-old host of That’s Life! revealed that she had been diagnosed with lung cancer. Just a few months later, the disease advanced and spread, leading her to contemplate her own mortality.

Today, she went on air with Amol but faced some connection problems at the start of her call.

“Good morning, Dame Esther,” Amol said, but there was no response.

"Is Dame Esther Rantzen here?" he asked impulsively.

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"Absolutely, let's hope for that!" the journalist then quipped.

"Oh my gosh," Amol chuckled, while Dame Esther chimed in, "I'm putting in my utmost effort!"

"Goodness, that was possibly the most ridiculous question I've ever posed," admitted a mortified Amol.

"I'm really sorry," he pleaded. "What I meant to ask was if the line is functioning, and it definitely seems to be. I should probably kick things off by asking how you're doing."

It wasn't long before a video of the mistake appeared on social media, with X user sellottie being the first to post it, commenting: "What a huge blunder from Amol Rajan directed at (terminally ill) Esther Rantzen."

GethynJonesuk referred to Amol's blunder as the "quote of the day" while introducing Dame Esther for a segment on assisted dying.

"A Troglodist commented on the mix of emotions, saying it felt like 'laughing and crying simultaneously.' Meanwhile, MAurelius200 showed support for Amol, who seemed quite upset."

Other listeners expressed their admiration for Dame Esther’s eloquence during the discussion. One commenter, rogermosey, noted, “Esther Rantzen’s views on assisted dying are both compelling and impactful, and I hope members of Parliament back her stance.”

One person remarked that it was ‘devastating’ to listen to her ‘plead for fundamental respect’ during the live broadcast, and others commended Amol’s ‘thoughtful’ approach to the topic.

Last December, Dame Esther revealed that she had become a member of the Dignitas assisted dying facility in Switzerland.

The presenter has been very outspoken about her desire to reform the laws in the UK. She fears that if she were to choose assisted dying, her family could be at risk of legal consequences for helping her go to the clinic, potentially facing up to 14 years in prison.

A petition advocating for a discussion on assisted dying, supported by a BBC celebrity, gathered 200,000 signatures and was held in Westminster on April 29.

Before the debate, the founder of Childline, who described her life as living from one scan to another, shared on Good Morning Britain that her dog experienced a 'better' death than some of her cherished family members.

Dame Esther stated that while we can provide our cherished pets with a peaceful end to their suffering, we are unable to extend the same compassion to our beloved family members.

Dignitas is a charitable organization based in Switzerland that offers assisted dying services to individuals suffering from terminal illnesses or serious physical or mental health conditions, with the support of qualified Swiss medical practitioners.

The typical expense amounts to £10,000, and anyone who helps or goes along with a loved one could face legal action.

According to the Suicide Act of 1961, suicide is considered a criminal offense in England and Wales, carrying a possible penalty of up to 14 years in prison.

When discussing her arrival at the Swiss clinic, Dame Esther mentioned, "If I had realized how challenging it would be for my family to see me go through this, I would have sought assistance."

She went on to say, "If I travel to Switzerland, my family won't be able to join me because they're worried about being questioned by the police."

In February of this year, Dame Esther shared her thoughts on how she envisions her last moments before passing away and moving on to the 'pearly gates' to be with her late husband again.

In an interview with LBC Radio, she expressed her desire to travel to Zurich with her loved ones and enjoy a wonderful dinner the night before.

"I'd really enjoy having caviar, even though it doesn't always sit well with me. But that's not really an issue, right?"

"I could even have champagne, despite my severe allergy to it. Then the next day, I would find myself at this not-so-appealing location where they serve it."

"Put on a song you love and bid farewell to everyone. Encourage them to stay positive!"

If you or a loved one has received a cancer diagnosis, Macmillan is here to provide assistance and guidance.

You can reach out to their support line at 0808 808 00 00, available seven days a week from 8 AM to 8 PM. Alternatively, you can use their online chat service or check their website for additional details.

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