Dame Esther Rantzen has opened up about a "horrific" sex attack she was a victim of.
The 77-year-old TV presenter has recalled the awful experience, which took place earlier in her career, and admitted she broke down in tears after the incident, but managed to get away.
Speaking about sexual abuse in the TV industry, she is quoted by The Sun’s Bizarre TV column as saying: "Did it ever happen to me during my career? Yes. Was it a horrific experience? Yes.
"Did I get away? Yes, I burst into tears and got away. Do I remember it? Yes."
Esther chose not to ever name her attacker because he has since died and is "not a danger to any other young woman".
She added: "Have I ever named the man? No. Why? Because he’s dead, he’s not a danger to any other young woman now but he has a family and what would I get? What would women get?
"Maybe others would come forward, I know I wasn’t the only one.
"But he’s dead and he’s not doing it now and he has a family so that’s the position I take."
Esther is best known for hosting magazine-style TV series ‘That’s Life!’ for 21 years from 1973 until 1994, and during her time presenting the show she set up child protection charity ChildLine in 1986.
As well as the child and young person counselling service, the star – who presented talk show ‘Esther’ from 1996 to 2002 – set up The Silver Line, a free 24-hour helpline for older people.
Esther Rantzen recalls ‘horrific’ sex attack
