Dame Esther Rantzen Pays Tribute to Late Co-Star Chris Serle

Dame Esther Rantzen has paid tribute to her former co-star Chris Serle, describing him as “funny, clever, and charming” following his death at the age of 81. Serle, a celebrated BBC radio and television presenter, was best known for his work on the show ‘That’s Life!’ The family of Serle confirmed the news of his passing to BBC News.

Born in Bristol, Serle rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s on the satirical consumer affairs program ‘That’s Life!’ where he partnered with Dame Esther Rantzen. The program covered a diverse range of subjects, including consumer rights, investigations, and advice. Dame Esther remarked, “I am so very sad to hear that Chris Serle, one of our best-loved That’s Life! reporters, has died.”

His career extended beyond ‘That’s Life!’, with Serle hosting Radio 4’s ‘Pick Of The Week‘ and a long-running show on BBC Radio Bristol. Additionally, he presented programs such as ‘In At The Deep End‘ and ‘Points Of View‘ for the BBC. The family statement released through BBC News referred to him as a “familiar and cherished figure on British television screens throughout the 1970s and 1980s.”

Dame Esther Rantzen praised Serle’s versatility and noted that he was as personable off camera as he was on. “When I first met him he was a producer, but it was clear that he had all the attributes of the best reporters,” she shared with the PA news agency. “Viewers and listeners of That’s Life! and the many other radio and television programmes he presented will be equally sad.”

Chris Serle is survived by his wife Ali and their three children, as well as two children from a previous marriage. Details of his funeral and memorial service are currently being arranged and will be announced in due course, according to his family.