Stephen Way, the husband of TV legend Gloria Hunniford, has died at the age of 85.
Way’s death was announced by his family who explained that he passed ‘heroically fighting his illness’ as Hunniford said that his passing would leave an ‘enormous void’.
In a statement, 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.’
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.’
Hunniford 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 the heart attack, stroke and a near-fatal taxi incident.
Way’s ill-health had been documented over the years and in 2023 Way 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.’
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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