Esther Rantzen receives honorary degree

The TV star introduced students to the “the Rantzen Rule” – “If you want something enough you will get it. You will get it so long after you have given up hope that you will have forgotten why you wanted it.”

Esther received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Social Science from the University’s School of Education, which she described as a “huge privilege”.

The award was made in recognition of Esther’s significant work in promoting the welfare of vulnerable children through the media and development of ‘every child matters’ approach.

At the ceremony at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre yesterday (Wednesday, 9 September), Esther told School of Education graduates: “Working in education, you will have the opportunity to transform young people’s lives.”

Esther Rantzen CBE is well known for her work as producer/presenter of the television show That’s Life, which was on air for 21 years.

In 1986, Esther pioneered ChildLine and chaired its Board of Trustees for 20 years. After the merger of ChildLine with the NSPCC in February 2006, Esther became President of ChildLine and a trustee of the NSPCC.

In 2008 Esther took on one of her biggest challenges by appearing on ITV1’s I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! Other recent programmes include BBC1’s Who Do You Think You Are?, a documentary about Sir Nicholas Winton entitled Winton’s Children, as well as Strictly Come Dancing and Grumpy Old Women.

Esther announced this summer that she will stand as a prospective Independent candidate for the Luton South constituency in the next General Election.

The University of Wolverhampton is holding graduation ceremonies for students and honorary award recipients throughout this week.

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