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The death of Stephen Way, the husband of TV legend Gloria Hunniford, was announced on Wednesday, and now her ITV family have reached out to support the star.
On Thursday afternoon’s episode of Loose Women, Denise Welch and Kaye Adams paid tribute to their grieving co-host.
Kaye said at the beginning of the show: ‘We couldn’t go any further without sending all of our love and best wishes to Gloria and all of her family.
‘I think you might be aware that her husband Stephen has passed away.’
Denise added: ‘We just want you to know Gloria, that we have you in our hearts and we know that you will be embraced by so much love because you have a gorgeous family, we all love Stephen and we love you very much.’
Way’s death was announced by his family who said in a statement: ‘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.’
Hunniford, 84, also said in a statement: ‘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.’
Hunniford added: ‘It’s a great shock and words cannot express my sadness at this time. A bright shining light has dimmed, and he shall be missed at every turn.’
The Loose Women panellist married Stephen in 1998, after her marriage to Don Keating from 1970 to 1992.
She has previously spoken about how she owes the NHS for saving her husband’s life, after a heart attack, stroke and a near-fatal taxi incident.
Way’s ill-health had been documented over the years and in 2023 he revealed he was left partially blind after his second stroke.
Speaking at the Chelsea Flower Show, Stephen said: ‘I woke up in the morning and there was blood in the eye and that was it.
‘I can see a little but not that good.’ Explaining the blood vessel injury, he continued: ‘It is from the heart to the eye, and then from the eye to the brain, so it is damaged. It is the first time I have had something like this with the eye.’
He said at the time: ‘I am coping OK with it all. It’s fine but just disorientating.’
In 2004, Hunniford’s daughter Caron died aged 41 from breast cancer, leaving behind her two sons, Charlie and Gabriel, who were just ten and seven at the time.
Hunniford has spoken openly about her grief over the years, using her platform on the ITV daytime show to speak about cancer.
The TV presenter sparked concern earlier this month during an appearance on Loose Women as she appeared to be out of character and not her usual bubbly self.
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It is unclear when the star will return to her presenting duties following this sad news.
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