Gloria Hunniford has opened up about her recent weight loss as she returned to Loose Women.
The 84 year old made a triumphant return to the ITV celebrity panel on Monday (October 7) after taking time off due to the death of her husband, Stephen Way. In August, it was revealed that Gloria had become a widow when Stephen lost his long battle with illness.
In conversation with Charlene White, Olivia Attwood and Denise Welch, Gloria shared how she’s currently coping. This prompted Charlene to note that Gloria now appears “smaller” than she was during her last appearance on the show, reports the Mirror.
Charlene commented: “Obviously grief presents itself in different ways and it can do so physically as well. Before anyone starts worrying that you’re unwell and that you’re smaller than you were when you were here last time, can you clear that up?”
Joking that she was always the shortest among the Loose Women crew, Gloria responded: “The thing is that, obviously when your partner’s ill, like the anxiety and the worry and all of that. Of course I’ve lost weight because you don’t eat properly, you’re always thinking of the other person.
“But I am fine, thank you very much indeed and my two sons when they come to visit they always watch what I eat.”
She added: “But I am fine!”
Gloria then expressed her gratitude to her co-stars and everyone working on Loose Women. Fans watching from home also sent their warm wishes as Gloria made her comeback.
One viewer commented: “Dear #Gloria I’m so so sorry to learn of your recent bereavement. God bless you, and glad you have your #loosewomen family who love you. #thinking of you.”
Another wrote touchingly: “Oh God love Gloria Hunniford, beautiful woman. Saluted. Xx.”
Similarly, a third shared their thoughts, noting: “Sadly how losing her husband has taken its toll on Gloria, bless her… she’s lost a lot of weight.”
Previously in August, the family of Stephen released an announcement about his passing, saying: “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.”
In her own words, Gloria reflected: “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. 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.”
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