At the age of 84, Gloria Hunniford is deserving of some rest. She began her career as a singer in Ireland at just seven years old and has been a constant presence in the entertainment industry for the past 77 years.
Now a familiar face on Loose Women and co-host of BBC’s Rip Off Britain, she graces our television screens weekly. However, it’s not solely her zeal for justice and battling fraudsters that keeps her in the workforce.
In an exclusive chat, she disclosed that work is her refuge from sorrow. It’s been over two decades since the loss of her daughter Caron Keating to cancer, and only half a year since the passing of her husband Stephen Way at 85, after three decades of marriage.
“Work makes me feel safe, because I have a structure, I know what I’m supposed to be doing,” she says. “All the emotional stuff and all the heartbreak, that’s the hard bit to cope with.
“As long as you can take your [self] away from grief for an hour it helps clear your mind for a little while.”
She continues: “I’ve worked since I was seven and for me doing things and keeping busy is good for my head. To do nothing would be miserable for me. My way of coping wouldn’t be for everybody and I’m sure it’s quite controversial, but I love work.”
This approach has been particularly crucial in recent months, reports the Mirror.
Gloria, who will celebrate her 85th birthday on April 10, is navigating a year filled with poignant firsts without her dear “Stevie”: their first Christmas apart, her first birthday alone, their first wedding anniversary missed….
Gloria opened up about her personal tragedies and how they led her to participate in Strictly Come Dancing. She shared: “Some of my worst times when Caron passed and also when Stevie passed were if I was at home on my own,” adding the heart-wrenching reflection: “And suddenly your mind wanders and you think: ‘what happened there, for goodness’ sake?’.”
Gloria, who lost Caron to cancer at just 41, found solace in the dance competition.
Despite receiving a low score of two points from Craig Revel Horwood for her Rumba, she cherished the experience, saying: “When Caron died, I said: ‘I don’t think I’ll ever smile again’,” which prompted her sons to encourage her to join Strictly. “And it was. It gave me something to laugh about, it was a challenge, the people were lovely and the glitter was lovely; it was helpful.”
Gloria also touched on the profound grief of losing a child, stating: “One of the hardest aspects of grief is when you lose a child. You cannot carry a baby for nine months, love that child and not feel the incredible pain at losing that child. It’s indescribable.”
Gloria is eager to embrace new challenges, including competing in Celebrity Bake Off this spring. Despite her enthusiasm for fresh experiences, she’s best known for her role as a regular panellist on ITV’s Loose Women and her advocacy work on the BBC’s Rip Off Britain, which she has co-hosted with Julia Somerville and Louise Minchin for 16 years.
Gloria, who takes pride in both shows, aspires to continue working on them even at the age of 90. “It depends whether the producers would still want me when I was heading towards 90, but I’ve no plans to retire,” she declares.
“Work may retire me, or I may be unlucky enough to have some pain or ache or a situation where I can’t do it, but give or take, I want to do it for as long as they want me.”
Gloria is determined to savour every moment of life, especially as she approaches her birthday. “I’m glad to still be alive,” she reflects, acknowledging how swiftly time flies.
“I don’t like the zeros – 60, 70 and 80, but once that zero has passed, you just continue.”
Gloria tries not to dwell on her age, although she admits sometimes using it to her advantage, such as when dealing with utility companies. “I say: ‘I am in my 80s you know, I’m in a vulnerable category.’ There comes a point when you start using it for yourself!”
In the 1980s, she was the beloved host of the popular chat show Sunday, Sunday, sitting down with a plethora of A-list celebrities ranging from Audrey Hepburn to Charlton Heston. Fast forward more than four decades, and she’s keen on a comeback.
“We had every Hollywood star that you can think of,” she says, beaming at the memory. “I loved talking to people, so if somebody thought that there was a chat show in an 80-something I would be so thrilled! “.
Gloria is also excited about her current project, the re-release of her 1979 album A Taste of Hunni. Audiences were reminded of her singing talent on ITV’s The Masked Singer in 2021 when she performed as Snow Leopard, but Gloria’s roots in music trace back to her childhood in Northern Ireland.
“My dad worked for newspapers by day and he was a magician by night and when I was seven, he asked me to join him,” she recalls fondly. Known as concert parties, their performances were a prime source of entertainment, gracing church halls and schools before television became widespread.
During the 60s and 70s, Gloria launched several singles and even opened for Roy Orbison on his Northern Irish tour in 1969. She recorded A Taste of Hunni a decade later, featuring classics such as Feelings and You Are The Sunshine of My Life.
Celebrating the reissue of the album, Gloria recently hosted a glamorous launch party attended by celebrities like Sir Cliff Richard.
“To have a record out at this stage of my life is so exciting,” she beams. “Mind you, there are some records I made in Ireland that I’d pay anybody to bury and never be seen again! ” Yet, she’s delighted with her latest release, saying: “But actually, I’m really pleased with this one – the song choice is good, the musicians are good, the arrangements are good and I could really sing in those days.”
The album is filled with nostalgia for her: “So many memories are tied up in this album. It feels like my life has come full circle, so it’s a real thrill to have it re-released.”
Gloria recounts an unexpected career turn following a BBC interview about her singing in Belfast, where she was offered a broadcasting gig. Her new boss reassured her, stating: ‘Remember, you’re as good as any bloke in this room.’
She says this dispelled any concerns over sexism. Gloria’s trailblazing path led her from Ulster to London, marking her spot in history as the first woman to host her own show on Radio 2, followed by a succession of other programmes prior to joining Loose Women ten years ago.
She cherishes her time on Loose Women, particularly enjoying the cheeky morning meetings just as much as being on-air: “I love the camaraderie,” Gloria admits. “I enjoy the meetings in the morning as much as the air-time – it’s much naughtier than anything that goes on air! ” While work is her solace, she acknowledges her family’s support during tough times, highlighting the role her sons Paul and Michael played in helping her get through her first Christmas after losing Stevie.
“I was dreading Christmas because Stevie and I had 30 Christmases together, but my boys really saved the festive season,” Gloria, who resides in Kent, shared. “The youngest one Michael did Christmas and my two grandchildren from Caron were able to spend three days with us. Then for New Year we all went to France and then Fort Lauderdale for a week and sat in the sun. My sons organised all of that, which was really kind.
“I think as you get older you really appreciate your children more and more. My two boys have been so amazing since Stephen died. Having children was the best thing I ever did in my life.”