Speculation is mounting that Esther Rantzen, the TV personality and president of charity ChildLine, is being considered for the post of children’s commissioner for England.She is believed to have made the final cut because the Government is keen to appoint a high-profile candidate to the post.Education secretary Ruth Kelly has been given two names from a shortlist of six and the Government plans to make an announcement in the next week. It is understood that the shortlist comprised two journalists and four people from the voluntary sector.One of the frontrunners was Labour MP Hilton Dawson. It is believed he did not make the final shortlist partly because of concern that he would be too much of a challenge to the Government.Sources suggested that Rantzen was still in the frame and she refused to rule herself out. A spokeswoman for ChildLine said: “She has said she does not want to comment on this.”

Children Now Magazine