Presenter Charlene White was moved to tears during Monday's episode of Loose Women as she discussed the death of her father last year. The ITV newsreader joined panellists Coleen Nolan, Vogue Williams and Jane Moore to talk about grief and how each of them copes with loss.
Charlene, 46, spoke candidly about the impact of her father's death, particularly as she experienced her first birthday without him. 'I think on a day-to-day basis, you still have to get up and go to work and earn money and look after the kids and stuff like that, and it still takes a lot of energy to get through that,' she said, struggling to contain her emotions.
She acknowledged that there will be many more painful firsts to navigate as she adjusts to life without her father. The conversation comes after Charlene shared a heartfelt tribute to her father on Instagram last year, writing: 'Hug your parents close, and always tell them that you love them. Because that's sort of our job as children, to love them, no matter where the road eventually takes them.'
In the same post, she revealed that the family had held a traditional Jamaican nine night to celebrate his life. 'The ancestors were right – it was the most perfect way to release our grief through food, dancing, drink... and joy, with hundreds of friends and family,' she wrote.
Charlene's fellow panellists offered their support at the time, with Coleen Nolan commenting: 'Oh Charlene, so so sorry to hear this news... thinking of you and your family! Love you.' Jane Moore added: 'So sorry for your loss. Sending love.'
