It is difficult to put into words just how heartbroken I am at the passing of my wonderful friend, Dame Esther Rantzen.

Esther was so much more than a friend to me. She was a mentor, a source of enormous encouragement and somebody who played a truly life-changing role in my own journey, both personally and through my charitable work.

Many people will know Esther for her extraordinary contribution to television and, of course, for founding ChildLine and The Silver Line. She dedicated so much of her life to helping others, particularly those who were vulnerable, lonely or struggling to find their voice.

I was one of the people whose life she changed.

For many years, I found it incredibly difficult to speak about my childhood and the experiences that had shaped my life. Esther understood that, and she never pushed me before I was ready.

When she wrote her book Running Out of Tears for ChildLine, she included my story, but under the name Andrew. At that point, I simply wasn’t ready for people to know it was me.

Years later, at one of our ChildLine Balls, Esther stood on stage and shared that story with the room. She then asked me to stand up.

I did.

It might sound like a small moment, but for me it was enormous. With Esther’s encouragement, I finally found the courage to acknowledge my story publicly. Looking back, I know that moment helped shape so much of what followed.

Over the years, we shared countless wonderful occasions through ChildLine, The Silver Line, my charity balls and beyond. Esther was always so generous with her time, her advice and her belief in what we were trying to achieve.

When I received my honorary doctorate from the University of Bolton, Esther was one of the people I dedicated it to. That was my way of acknowledging just how much she had meant to me.

But beyond all the charity work and the incredible things she achieved, I will remember the person I was lucky enough to call my friend. The conversations, the laughter, the kindness and the memories I will treasure forever.

My thoughts and love are with Miriam, Rebecca, Joshua and all Esther’s family.

Thank you to everyone who has contacted me. I’m devastated by the news, so please forgive me if I haven’t been able to respond personally.

Esther changed countless lives. She certainly changed mine.

Thank you for everything, my wonderful friend. I will miss you enormously. ❤️

Rest in peace, Esther.