Dame Esther Rantzen's daughter issues update amid mother's cancer battle ahead of birthday: 'Astonished'

Dame Esther Rantzen's daughter has shared an update on the television icon's condition, revealing that the 85-year-old is "as astonished as anybody that she's still here" as she approaches her 86th birthday later this month.

Rebecca Wilcox, 46, spoke about her mother's health during an appearance on Channel 5's Vanessa, disclosing that Dame Esther will celebrate turning 86 on June 22.

The beloved broadcaster received a diagnosis of terminal stage four lung and breast cancer three years ago.

"She was diagnosed three years ago with terminal stage four lung and breast cancer, so every day is a wonderful miracle and we really are cherishing it," Ms Wilcox explained.

The family remains deeply thankful that Dame Esther continues to be with them despite her prognosis.

"We are so grateful. We are just so grateful to have her here," Ms Wilcox told the programme.

Her daughter described the upcoming milestone as "brilliant," emphasising how precious each moment has become for the Rantzen family.

Dame Esther herself views her survival with a sense of wonder, treating every day she wakes up as something extraordinary.

"It's her birthday coming up. She's going to be 86, which is brilliant," her daughter shared, adding: "She's as astonished as anybody that she's still here."

Despite her illness, Dame Esther maintains a deep love for her garden, which Ms Wilcox described as "gorgeous" and her mother's true passion.

The television star was an early pioneer of rewilding practices, with Ms Wilcox joking that "Monty Don has nothing on her" when it comes to cultivating natural spaces.

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"Her garden is her passion. It is gorgeous," Ms Wilcox shared.

The property was once a rundown agricultural site that Dame Esther and her family transformed from scratch.

"They built this garden from nothing. It was a dilapidated farm," Rebecca explained, adding that the location holds special significance for her personally.

"I got married there," she revealed, highlighting the deep family connections to the cherished outdoor space.

Dame Esther has previously spoken about her hopes for what awaits her after death, expressing a desire to be reunited with her late husband Desmond Wilcox.

"If there is a heaven, it would be a very happy place," she told The Times. "It's a lovely idea to meet Desmond again and all those I have loved and lost - my parents and grandparents, my close friends and family."

The couple were married for more than two decades before Desmond passed away in 2000 at the age of 69 following a heart attack. He was the father of their three children.

During an appearance on Piers Morgan's Life Stories, Dame Esther recalled her husband's final moments: "Desmond's last words to me were: 'I adore you.' I was sitting on his deathbed. I will take those words with me to the grave."

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