Gloria Hunniford ‘delighted’ to receive Freedom of the City of London
Broadcaster Gloria Hunniford has said she is “delighted and humbled” to receive the Freedom of the City of London
The 86-year-old’s long and varied career has seen her host chat shows and current affairs, lifestyle and consumer rights programmes. She was awarded the Freedom of the City of London at the city’s Guildhall on Thursday in recognition of her “outstanding contribution to entertainment and campaigning work as a breast cancer charity ambassador”. As well as her TV work, she is known for setting up the Caron Keating Foundation in memory of her daughter, who died from breast cancer in 2004. Born in Portadown, Northern Ireland, in 1982 Hunniford became the first woman to have her own daily radio show on BBC Radio 2. She presented it continuously for 13 years, before going on to become one of the first female broadcasters to host her own TV chat show. Her many TV credits include Pebble Mill At One, Good Evening Ulster, The Travelling Picture Show, Rip-Off Britain, Loose Women, Strictly Come Dancing, This Morning, The One Show, Piers Morgan’s Life Stories, This Is Your Life, and The Masked Singer. She was awarded an OBE for services to cancer charities through breast screening services and cancer support in 2017. Her autobiography, My Life, was published a year later. Speaking after Thursday’s ceremony, Hunniford said: “This has been an extremely special and memorable day for me and my family. “Some of my most treasured moments in broadcasting have taken place in this city, so I am delighted and humbled to have received the Freedom of the City of London.” Hunniford said she began her career aged just six, when she sang as a child performer. “Singing from that tender age led me to a career in broadcasting, which I was given back in 1969 at the beginning of the Troubles,” she added. “Ultimately, that experience led to being given yet another wonderful broadcasting opportunity with BBC Radio 2, which I did daily for 13 years. “Television followed, from my own chat show, ITV’s Sunday Sunday, to Heaven And Earth, Rip Off Britain, and Loose Women.” Hunniford took part in the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2005, where she was partnered by professional dancer Darren Bennett and eliminated in the third week. She lost her husband of more than 20 years, Stephen Way, in 2024 and said he had left “the most enormous void, not only in my life”. Last year, she took part in The Great Celebrity Bake Off For Stand Up To Cancer. City of London Corporation policy chairman, Chris Hayward, said: “A consummate professional on our screens and airwaves, millions of us have been entertained, informed, and moved by Gloria Hunniford over the years. “It has been a pleasure for my colleagues to welcome Gloria to Guildhall for her admission into the Freedom today.” Alderman Vincent Keaveny said: “As Governor of The Honourable The Irish Society, the City of London’s historic link with Ulster, and now a cross-community charity in Northern Ireland, it is a real pleasure to nominate Gloria for the Freedom of the City of London. “She has been a wonderful representative of Northern Ireland on TV and radio for many years, bringing much joy and happiness into the lives of her audience. “Her work for cancer charities was honoured with her OBE, but that work continues and it is right that we also celebrate it today. “Thank you, Gloria, for all that you have given us.” Vince Dignam, business performance and transport group manager at the City of London Corporation, said: “Gloria has been a part of our lives as a household name and TV personality for years and she is undoubtedly a national treasure. “I got to know Gloria through her charity work and she has been a true inspiration in raising vital funds for cancer charities and supporting one of my charities personally by attending events. “I was proud to nominate this amazing lady for the Freedom of the City of London – it is very much deserved.” One of the City of London’s ancient traditions, the Freedom is believed to have begun in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade. As well as being nominated for, or applying for, the Freedom, it is also offered by the City of London Corporation to individuals as a way of paying tribute to their outstanding contribution to London or public life, or to celebrate a very significant achievement. Recent recipients include actor Ray Winstone and City of London Police Special Constable and TV presenter, Penny Lancaster. Hunniford was also awarded the freedom of her County Armagh home borough in Northern Ireland in 2024.
Published: by Radio NewsHub