BBC radio host mortified after asking 'worst question ever' to Dame Esther Rantzen

A BBC radio host was left pretty red-faced after asking Dame Esther Rantzen the ‘worst question ever’.

The terminally ill broadcaster announced late last year that she had joined Dignitas, a Swiss organisation for assisted dying.

Having been diagnosed with cancer, Rantzen has been very vocal in her support for the controversial practice and is very open about her death and choices.

The icon, who founded the charity helpline Childline, appeared on this morning’s (4 October) BBC Radio 4 Today programme where she spoke with Amol Rajan.

But with the 84-year-old dialling in, what seemed to be some tech problems led to a rather awkward situation.

“Dame Esther, good morning,” Rajan said as he welcomed her onto the show.

However, there appeared to be no response on her end which resulted in him having to ask: “Is Dame Esther Rantzen with us?”

And she quickly seemed to be back online as she answered: “Yeah I hope so!”

This led to a panicked-sounding Rajan laughing and letting out an ‘oh God’ as he tripped over his words before Rantzen added a: “I’m doing my best.”

Pretty embarrassed, Rajan said: “Dear, dear, dear, dear… that was probably the worst question I’ve ever asked.

“Please forgive me, I mean is the line working – it clearly very much is.

“I probably should start by asking how you are.”

Listeners praised the radio host for how he handled the situation as one wrote: “Tbf he came out of it brilliantly by realising it and immediately owning up.”

Others were left laughing at the ‘howler’ as they called it the ‘quote of the day’.

Some said it was a bad case of ‘digging’ himself a hole as another said: “I really feel for both of them. Rantzen's ‘Yes, I hope so’ was a good comeback, though.”

Rantzen has been campaigning for a parliamentary debate and a free vote to legalise assisted dying.

And today Keir Starmer said he is pleased he could keep his vow to her to make time for a debate and vote on assisted dying as a bill is set to come before Parliament this month.

Absolute howler from Amol Rajan just now to (terminally ill) Esther Rantzen pic.twitter.com/GGtcXgpZqh

— Lottie (@sellottie) October 4, 2024

Rantzen had a call with him earlier this year, before he became Prime Minister, and yesterday it was announced a private member’s bill on assisted dying is expected to be formally introduced on 16 October, with a debate and initial vote on the matter possible within weeks.

The campaigner said on the radio show: “The fact that I may actually still be here to witness a debate in Parliament on this crucial life and death issue is not what I expected at all.

“It fills me with hope but it also fills me with fear.”