Amol Rajan left mortified after asking terminally ill Dame Esther Rantzen awkward question on BBC Radio 4

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BBC Radio host Amol Rajan was left mortified after he requested Dame Esther Rantzen if she was nonetheless “with us”.

The terminally in poor health broadcaster revealed she was recognized with lung most cancers in January final yr. Since then, she has been vocal in her help for assisted dying, and has been open in regards to the restricted time she has left.

Rantzen, 84, appeared on the BBC Radio 4 At the moment programme on Friday morning (4 October), when there gave the impression to be some technical points.

“Dame Esther, good morning,” Rajan started as he welcomed her on to the present, however to no response.

“Is Dame Esther Rantzen with us?”, he requested once more.

The TV character appeared to come back again on-line as she quipped, “Yeah I hope so!”

Rajan realised his blunder as he laughed, saying “Oh God.”

Rantzen continued, “I’m doing my greatest!”

Rajan was left mortified and embarrassed as he mentioned, “Expensive, expensive, expensive, expensive… that was in all probability the worst query I’ve ever requested.”

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He continued, “Please forgive me. I meant is the road working, it clearly very a lot is. I in all probability ought to begin by asking how you might be.”

Listeners reacted on social media as they praised Rajan’s dealing with of the gaffe, “He got here out of it brilliantly by realising it and instantly proudly owning up”.

Others with a darker humour mentioned they have been left “howling”.

“The expression ‘if you happen to’re in a gap – cease digging’ involves thoughts!” wrote one other.

Earlier this yr Rantzen revealed her most cancers was being stored at bay due to a brand new drug, which had left her feeling “a lot better” than she thought she can be.

The broadcaster who’s greatest identified for founding Childline, a phone helpline for younger folks aged as much as 18, has beforehand revealed that she has registered with the Swiss assisted dying clinic, Dignitas. She has pushed for a Parliamentary vote on the subject as she known as the present legislation a “merciless mess”.

In an announcement to PA upon studying the information that the illness had unfold, Rantzen mentioned: “On the age of 82, this analysis has prompted me to look again through the years, and I wish to categorical my profound due to everybody who has made my life so joyful, crammed with enjoyable, and with inspiration.”