Dame Esther Rantzen DBE is coming to Carshalton later this month for a special event at a retirement home.

The television presenter and charity founder is best known for hosting the BBC entertainment series That’s Life! for more than two decades, from 1973 until 1994.

Now people in Sutton will have the opportunity to meet Dame Esther when she attends the open day at Churchill Retirement Living’s Laurel Lodge.

Visitors will get to see her, view the development and partake in some refreshments in the Owners’ Lounge.

Dame Esther is a brand ambassador for Churchill and launched a new charity in 2012, The Silver Line, in a bid to tackle loneliness and isolation in older people.

“Growing older is something to be celebrated,” the 78-year-old said. “Older people have so much to offer.”

“Many people of retirement age who are lucky enough to be able to stay as active and as involved as possible and can spend time volunteering, trying new hobbies or socialising with friends and family find it gives them a great sense of achievement and purpose.

“I believe wholeheartedly in keeping your mind active as long as you can, by finding company that you enjoy, sharing time with people you like and doing things that you find engaging.

“Working in a team also gives you companionship, so the Owners’ Lounge and the social events seem to be a great idea.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the Owners at Laurel Lodge and welcoming anyone who wants to find out what retirement living could mean for them.”

Laurel Lodge is a collection of one and two-bedroom privately owned retirement apartments for over-60s.

Dame Esther will be at Laurel Lodge, in Denmark Road, from 11am to 3pm on January 29.

To find out more you can visit www.churchillretirement.co.uk, or call 0208 023 7368.