Television presenter Gloria Hunniford has been faced with agonising grief many times in her life - from the loss of her ex-husband to her daughter and now her other half
Gloria Hunniford has suffered another heartbreak as her beloved husband has tragically died aged 85.
The broadcasting icon, 84, is one of the most recognisable faces on television, having been on our screens for more than six decades. She was the first woman in the UK to have her own daily radio show, which she hosted on BBC Radio 2 for 13 years, and still remains a fan favourite now on ITV's Loose Women.
But away from the cameras, Gloria has been hit with a string of agonising losses. It was announced today that Stephen Way, her husband of 25 years, passed away following a long health battle. Paying tribute to her other half, Gloria said: "Stephen was a gentleman and a giant of a man, who will leave the most enormous void not only in my life, but our entire family."
The legendary presenter continued: "He was an incredibly kind, generous, and caring man, with a delightfully quirky sense of humour, which remained till the end. We had a tremendously happy 25-year marriage and did so many beautiful and exciting things together that I will always cherish."
In a statement, his family said: "It is with huge sadness and very heavy hearts that we share the passing of Stephen Way, Gloria's beloved husband, who lost his battle yesterday afternoon. Stephen had been heroically fighting his illness... but always with great tenacity and a positive spirit."
Last year, Gloria revealed her husband had been left partially blind in his right eye after suffering a second stroke. She also praised the NHS in 2020 for saving his life. He was involved in a taxi accident in 2019, leaving the base of his spine fractured. In 2004, Stephen had a heart attack and in 2012, he had his first stroke.
Back in 1997, Gloria sadly lost her ex-husband and father of her children, Don Keating. She was about to present a new programme on BBC Northern Ireland, called Something for the Weekend, when her family were informed. But they decided not to tell her before the live show, and instead, she was told minutes after going off air.
At the time, a statement read: "During his career with the BBC, Don Keating was a distinguished TV director and was responsible for programmes like Scene Around Six during some of the most difficult times in Northern Ireland. He was never anything other than a true professional and a gentleman." The couple shared three kids, Caron, Paul and Michael.
Heartbreakingly, seven years later, Gloria lost their daughter Caron to breast cancer. The former Blue Peter presenter was just 41 when she died in 2004, leaving behind two young sons. Gloria set up a charitable foundation in Caron's name and finished two books that her daughter had begun before her death: an autobiography and a book about her struggle with cancer.
"Losing a child takes you to the darkest spot you could ever imagine," Gloria told The Mirror in 2018. "There's something extra hard about getting pregnant, carrying that baby, giving birth, treasuring that child, and then losing her. You don't think all your children will end up with PHDs or anything, but you pray to God you'll live long enough to see them live happy lives.
"Never in a million years did I imagine that I would lose one. That's not supposed to be the order of life." Gloria has since stayed close to Caron's kids. She said: "I was lucky enough to see them being born. That was a real privilege - I helped cut the cord. I say to them, 'Do you know, I have known you since...' and they finish the sentence with '...since the minute I was born'."
She takes comfort in her faith and believes that Caron sends her little messages every now and then. Gloria said: "I don't know what heaven will look like but I fundamentally believe that I will see Caron again. She believed in angels, and so do I now. I'll come home from a rough day and it will be lashing with rain, but I'll find one dry feather on a wet doormat, and I just think, 'That's Caron.' I don't care if people think believing in angels is stupid, it brings me comfort."
