Esther Helen McCracken (née Armstrong; 25 June 1902 – 9 August 1971) was a British actress and playwright.

[7] She married Angus McCracken, a famous northern rugby player and accountant in 1936, but he was killed in action in Naples, Italy in 1943.

[3] She went on to introduce the BBC radio variety programme Wot Cheor Geordie, which ran from 1940 to 1956.

[10] She also wrote more serious plays in her later career, including Living Room in 1943, No Medals in 1944 (filmed as The Weaker Sex), and Cry Liberty in 1950.

[2][11] The initials of McCracken, her husband and a friend are included in the name of MEA House in Ellison Place, Newcastle, which was set up through their efforts.