Esther says experience as 8-year-old in hospital helped inspire her to campaign for people who can't ask for help

DAME Esther Rantzen's lifetime of campaigning was inspired by a hospital matron who made her feel like a "helpless hostage" as a child, she has revealed.

- Giles Sheldrick 

The indefatigable activist, crusading with the Daily Express to change assisted dying laws, said a deeply upsetting memory from when she was sick in hospital as a little girl must have subconsciously driven her to fiercely protect people.

Widowed Dame Esther, 83, who has terminal cancer, fronted consumer show That's Life! and founded the charities Childline and later The Silver Line.

All of those have championed the vulnerable, marginalised and forgotten.

Speaking to broadcaster Gyles Brandreth, 75, she said: "When I was eight I was seriously ill and went to hospital for three months and I had a kidney disease, acute nephritis.

"I caught measles from the child in the next door bed so I was sent to what was called a fever hospital.