Gloria Hunniford returns to Loose Women after the death of her husband

Gloria Hunniford spoke about the tragic loss of her husband of more than 20 years, Stephen Way, as she returned to Loose Women on Monday for the first time since his death.

The broadcaster, 84, said she was 'determined not to cry' as she joined the panel and talked about how she was coping since Stephen died passed away at the age of 85 in August.

She admitted that her 'life had changed' and she didn't know what it would be like 'going forward' and explained she had lost weight during her husband's illness.

Gloria said: 'It's a heartbreaking situation to lose your partner. One minute you know what your life is, and then next minute you think what is this life is going forward. 

'I want to thank all of you at home and everybody at Loose Women, because the messages were just fabulous. I can't tell you what they mean in the end. 

'It obviously changed my life. It's amazing how sometimes your children become the parents because they take worry about you. But the letters and the cards and messages have really sunk into my soul.'

Struggling to hold back tears, she continued: 'I'm determined not to cry today, I'm trying not to cry.'

Co-star Charlene White then asked Gloria about how the grief had affected her physically, and she admitted she had struggled to eat, but insisted she was okay.

She explained: 'The thing is obviously when your partner is ill, the anxiety and worry and of all that - of course I've lost weight because you don't eat properly and you're always thinking about the other person.

'But I am fine, thank you. My two sons, Paul and Michael, when they come to visit thy watch what I eat, they go, "You haven't finished your chicken!"'

She continued: 'I'm struggling through lots of things, but trying to get back. I've worked since I was seven. 

'Work I know, I like work and I know where I am with work, whereas with all the emotional stuff and sadness, I don't know where I am with that. So I'm glad to be back and see all of you and the crew behind the scenes.'

Gloria married businessman Stephen in 1998, and said he would leave 'the most enormous void, not only in my life, but our entire family'.

In a statement announcing his passing, 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.'

Gloria added at the time: '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.'

Stephen was described as a 'wonderful husband, father and grandfather' and Gloria 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.'

Eamonn Holmes, who got his break when he got Gloria's job at Good Evening Ulster, also paid tribute.

He wrote on Instagram: 'I feel the pain of Gloria my dear friend of 40 plus years on the loss of Stephen - a true gent and a scholar. My genuine heartfelt condolences.'

It was Stephen who broke the news of the death of Gloria's former husband Don Keating as she came off stage after hosting a TV chat show in 1997, she revealed that year.

Don was found dead by a friend at his kitchen table, with his dinner and a glass of wine in front of him.

When Gloria and Stephen started dating, he owned an hairdressing salon in New Bond Street, Mayfair.

Gloria and Stephen met at an event in London before getting married in Kent in 1998, one year after Don's death.

She previously revealed that Stephen proposed while they were on holiday in Barbados after she was struggling in a pool at their villa having never learnt to swim as a child.

Gloria told the Belfast Telegraph in 2017: 'I remember larking about when I was six or seven and falling into the water fully clothed and coming up for the third time and thinking I was going to die.

'Then, when Stephen and I were in Barbados, we had a pool to ourselves and it was very hot, and Stephen was bantering me to get in.

'I managed a few strokes then went plop, straight down. Stephen said no-one had ever clung to him so tightly. It was the first time he saw me looking vulnerable, so he proposed.'