Loose Women's Gloria Hunniford asks heartbreaking question as grief takes huge toll

Loose Women star Gloria Hunniford has revealed the heartbreaking question she asks herself following the death of her beloved husband.

The 84-year-old graces our screens every week as a regular fixture on ITV's Loose Women and a presenter for BBC's Rip Off Britain. But away from TV, Gloria suffered immense heartache when her husband, Stephen Way, passed away at the age of 85 just six months ago. It followed the traumatic loss of her daughter Caron Keating, who died of cancer at the age of 41 two decades ago.

Now the star has bravely opened up about her darkest moments after losing Caron and then her husband. She told the Mirror: "Some of my worst times when Caron passed and also when Stevie passed were if I was at home on my own." She added: "And suddenly your mind wanders and you think: 'What happened there, for goodness' sake?'."

Gloria also revealed that her grief over Caron's death inspired her to join the cast of Strictly Come Dancing in 2005. Recalling how she struggled to cope, she said: "When Caron died, I said: 'I don't think I'll ever smile again'".

"One of my sons found that very sad, so when Strictly came up, they said: 'look, it'll be good for you.' 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."

Opening up about the profound pain of child loss, she said: "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."

The TV star said even at 84, that work is her lifeline from sorrow and is something that keeps her going through the harrowing toll of grief. Gloria shared: "Work makes me feel safe, because I have a structure, I know what I'm supposed to be doing. 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 continued: "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 coping mechanism has been her anchor during recent trying times, particularly as she navigates this year without her cherished "Stevie", including on her 85th birthday on April 10. Gloria and her businessman partner had been an item since the mid-1990s and tied the knot in 1998, a leap of six years following her split from Don Keating, the dad to her three kids.

Reflecting on her family bonds, she added: "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."