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Gloria Hunniford has opened up about her experiences of loss and grief after losing two of the most important people in her life. The Loose Women star lost her husband Stephen Way last summer after 26 years of marriage, two decades after the death of her beloved Blue Peter presenter daughter Caron Keating, who died from breast cancer in 2004 at just 41. She has now shared her reflections on coping with grief, maintaining her strong faith, and cherishing the wonderful memories she created with her loved ones. Read more Caroline Flack's devastating final texts and voicenotes revealed in new documentary Hunniford cared for her husband during his "heroic fight" against illness before he tragically passed away last August. He had suffered a series of debilitating strokes, including a second stroke that left him partially blind in his right eye. Discussing the months since his passing, she said: "You have to do a head job every so often, it's painful. "You have to carve out a new type of life, don't you? It's quite hard really, at the beginning, and then slowly, slowly you sort of get into a different rhythm and a different situation." She fondly remembered their time together, saying, "Stephen and I had 30 years together. Some people never get 30 years of happiness, but I did, so as much as he is a huge loss, I am very grateful that I had that time with him. I was very lucky and have been very lucky in my life." Hunniford also expressed gratitude for still living in the home they shared. "I've lived in that house for 40 years, so I love coming home," she said. "We were talking on Loose Women about happy places and I was saying I have a few happy places but I'm lucky in that I'm very happy going home to my own house. We have a lovely time there, so it's full of memories.", reports the Mirror . Asked if she senses Stephen's presence around the house, she pauses before responding: "I believe I will see Caron again and I believe I will see Stevie again. "It's not that I go to church every Sunday, but I have a very strong faith, and in life, you either believe there is somewhere you go after you die, or there isn't. I choose to think there is." The Rip Off Britain host says considering her family and friends who depend on her strengthens her determination when facing her circumstances. She said: "When Stephen was ill and he passed, you sort of think, 'Well, what is the alternative?' We have to get on with life for the family, the children, your grandchildren, your friends who need you." As someone in her eighties, Gloria remains energetic and she attributes her vitality to her robust work approach, confessing that she disregards her children's caring suggestions to take things easier and relax at her French retreat. "I like doing it all and I don't stop. And if you work hard, you play hard. I think it's down to my work ethic," she says. "The work ethic is really important. We were taught in Northern Ireland to work and therefore I've always worked all my life, and I've always wanted to work. "One of my sons says, 'Mum, why don't you go and stay in the family home in France? And I say, 'I don't want to!' "I wouldn't change a thing because I worked my a*** off the whole time and I still work my a*** off. "It will be 80 years next year in showbusiness because I started as a singer when I was still in the pram – well not quite, but almost. I love France and going on holidays, but I don't want to stay there." Regarding her wellbeing, Gloria understands the vital importance of maintaining her health. "I've always been very conscious of my health and I've always been a great advocate of healthy alternatives and used that alongside anything I need," she explains. "But I've been lucky enough that I've never needed any serious stuff. I have a dodgy left knee – nothing worrying." The television personality also treasures her position as a grandmother and describes it as "very healing" to witness her grandchildren flourishing both personally and professionally. "My grandchildren are lovely, getting older by the second," she remarks with a grin. "Charlie got married last year and I can't believe I've got a grandchild who's 30. It's very, very healing seeing the generations carry on, and because I do things and go to places they quite like, socially I keep up with them as well, which is really good." When asked about what Caron might have thought of her son's marriage, Gloria shared, "She would have loved him. He's the loveliest boy. They are both lovely boys. "Charlie is the eldest and Gabriel is a few years younger. They're doing well in their jobs and that's exciting. Caron would have loved her daughter-in-law. I love her like my own grandchild. She's a lovely girl." As for the possibility of great-grandchildren, Gloria kept her cards close to her chest. "I don't know yet," she said with a hint of coyness. She maintains a close relationship with her son-in-law Russ, Caron's husband. "I was speaking to him the other day. We have a close bond. Russ is a lovely man. Caron was lucky to have Russ, just as I have been to have had Stephen for 30 years." When questioned if she would consider finding love again, Gloria responded, "It's not even in my head. It's too raw yet. It's only been just over a year," she admitted. "But I like having male friends who I've had for decades – I like talking to them." One such friend is the renowned Sir Cliff Richard. "He's a very lovely friend, a good friend and very loyal," she spoke fondly. "I've known him 55 years."
