Esther Rantzen Has 'Celebrity First Dates' Viewers In Tears As She Opens Up About Husband's Death

'I’ve got plenty of people to do something with, but no one to do the nothing with.'

Esther Rantzen had ‘Celebrity First Dates’ viewers feeling very emotional as she opened up about the death of her husband.

The former ‘That’s Life’ presenter appeared on the Channel 4 dating show on Friday (8 July) night in the hope of finding love, and reduced many fans to tears as she fondly remembered her late partner.

Esther Rantzen appeared on 'Celebrity First Dates'
Esther Rantzen appeared on 'Celebrity First Dates'
Channel 4

Esther was married to BBC executive Desmond Wilcox for 33 years until his death in 2000, and admitted she found it difficult to start dating again in her seventies.

She was matched with 68-year-old lawyer John on the show, speaking of her loneliness with him.

“I’ve got plenty of people to do something with, but no one to do the nothing with,” she said.

Will Esther and John feel like doing nothing with each other? 💖#FirstDates pic.twitter.com/piwvAQGqU5

— First Dates (@FirstDates) July 8, 2016

Speaking about Desmond, the 75-year-old described being with him as “like being in constant sunshine”.

“He made me laugh all the time,” she said. “People bloomed when he was around. People loved his company and it was overwhelming really.

“We had the most wonderful weekend in the south of France and we sat watching the sun set, and he said, ‘we must promise each other that this weekend in September, we must always come here. Even if only one of us can come.’

“He was dead on the Tuesday. So I’ve been back every year,” she added.

Esther's husband Desmond Wilcox died of a heart attack in 2000
Esther's husband Desmond Wilcox died of a heart attack in 2000
Michael Stephens/PA Archive
Esther enjoyed a date with lawyer John
Esther enjoyed a date with lawyer John
Channel 4

Esther’s touching words prompted an outpouring from people on Twitter:

Esther Rantzen on her late husband Desmond Wilcox: being with him was like being in sunshine 💔 #firstdates

— Marie Scully (@MarieOScully) July 8, 2016

Esther Rantzen breaking my heart on #firstdates "it was like being in sunshine" #love

— Sarah Peachey (@PeacheyLDN) July 8, 2016

Dame Esther Rantzen just broke my heart on @FirstDates, what a beautifully heartbreaking story. #firstdates #celebrityfirstdates

— R_Crehan (@RichardCrehan) July 8, 2016

Well done to Esther for being brave enough to tackle loneliness in people of "advancing years" 😉 Saw strength in vulnerability❤️ #firstdates

— Wondering Woman (@Boo_Sherratt) July 8, 2016

I'm not sobbing. I've just got Esther Rantzen remembering her husband's death in my eye #FirstDates

— Tom Hayes (@CllrTomHayes) July 8, 2016

Esther Rantzen describes being in love as "always laughing, constant sunshine" - beautiful. I'd love to know that feeling! ❤️ #firstdates

— Naomi Narrative ♡ (@naominarrative) July 8, 2016

Awww, listening to Esther talk about her husband has made me a bit teary. 😢 #FirstDates

— Lee (@Hotdesigner) July 8, 2016

Totally got a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye hearing Esther Rantzen talk about her ex husband @FirstDates

— Tinderella (@tinderellagenda) July 8, 2016

Esther Rantzen on first dates just broke my heart with the story of her husband saying to go every year to that place & he died, so she goes

— noob (@evilnoob) July 8, 2016

Esther and John’s date seemed to go well until he made a comment about her age as they spoke to producers about whether they would see each other again.

“For a lady of your advancing years, you make splendid company,” he said.

Esther did not take the comment well, and it was later revealed John had sent her a dozen roses to make up for his faux pas.

To make up for his faux pas John sent Esther a dozen roses and an invite to Ireland. 🍀🌹 #FirstDates pic.twitter.com/K4ZBkF2Wxa

— First Dates (@FirstDates) July 8, 2016

Those hoping for a happy ending will be disappointed though, as during an interview on ‘Loose Women’ on Friday to discuss her ‘First Dates’ experience, Esther hinted she hadn’t forgiven John for his “appalling gaffe”.

The episode also saw ‘EastEnders’ actor Richard Blackwood, ‘TOWIE’ star Jess Wright and Paralympian Will Bayley enjoy dates with varying degrees of success, while Gogglebox’s Scarlett Moffatt will also appear later in the series.

‘Celebrity First Dates’ continues next Friday at 9pm on Channel 4.

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