SHE championed consumer rights on That’s Life and braved the infamous Bushtucker Trials on I’m a Celebrity.

Now the New Forest’s favourite broadcaster Esther Rantzen has taken on a new challenge.

Honest Esther wants to become the Hon Esther: an MP in the Houses of Parliament.

Esther, who has a weekend cottage in Bramshaw, is planning to stand against Luton South’s Margaret Moran, one of the politicians in the expenses scandals rocking British politics.

The Labour backbencher claimed £22,000 to treat dry rot at a house in Southampton, just days after making it her second home.

Esther, 68, said she was sick of MPs “abusing” taxpayers’ money.

“What made me so cross was this particular claim because I too have a home near Southampton and it too has suffered from dry rot.”

“I paid for my dry rot and I just couldn’t believe that an MP in her right mind could make that claim.”

She is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Martin Bell and become an Independent MP.

He stood as an Independent at Tatton in Cheshire and unseated Tory Neil Hamilton, who had been embroiled in sleaze allegations.

“Like Martin Bell I believe that my background as a journalist would make it very satisfying. I’d like to be able to support victims of injustice and feel I was giving them a voice,” she said.

She conceded that Margaret Moran had agreed to pay back the money she had claimed for the Southampton property.

“She may think this is enough but her constituents may beg to differ. If they do, I am more than happy to offer myself up as an alternative.”

Jack Sturgess, former chairman of Bramshaw Parish Council said: “I think she would make a superb MP. She’s a doughty fighter and a good campaigner.”