Charlene White has bravely shared her struggles with grief and the immense difficulty of returning to her professional duties following the tragic suicide of her beloved father, Denniston. The 45-year-old Loose Women star and ITV newsreader announced in October 2025 that her father had taken his own life after enduring what she described as a 'dark cloud he couldn't lift'. This devastating loss compounded earlier heartbreaks, including the death of her mother Dorrett from bowel cancer in 2002 and the passing of her best friend Darrell from Sarcoma cancer just months prior.
A Candid Reflection on Strength and Vulnerability
In an emotional interview with New Magazine, Charlene paid tribute to her employer for their unwavering support during this challenging period. She revealed that it took her time to understand the crucial 'difference between being strong and faking it' as she navigated her grief. 'What I underestimated is how difficult it is to go on air when you’re holding it together in front of hundreds of thousands of people,' she confessed. Charlene emphasised the importance of recognising when one cannot be strong, noting that there have been times when she had to step back from work because she couldn't muster the strength that week.
The Impact of Multiple Losses
Charlene's grief has been layered with multiple losses over the years. She previously made the heartbreaking admission that she has spent 'many many hours' questioning why her father decided to end his life. On Loose Women, she broke down while discussing the death of her late friend Darrell, who had been diagnosed with Sarcoma cancer. She shared his incredible story, highlighting how he partnered with the charity Sarcoma UK to raise awareness for the illness.
In a heartfelt social media tribute, Charlene wrote about Darrell, describing him as one of the kindest men she ever met and a brother since they were 16 years old. She praised his efforts to educate doctors and support families affected by Sarcoma, calling him 'amazing'. His wife, Amy McDonald, also received commendation for her strength throughout his four-year battle.
Motherhood Without a Mother
Charlene also opened up about the emotional challenges of facing motherhood without her own mother's guidance. She was just 20 when her mum Dorrett died at age 47, and this loss resurfaced during her pregnancy with her son Alfie. 'I was looking at the bump in my belly and it hit me that I was going to have to learn to be a mother when I was motherless,' she recalled. This moment triggered an outpouring of grief, as she realised her mother was the only person she could physically connect to during such a significant life event.
Charlene, who has two children—Alfie, nine, and Florence, seven—with her partner Andy, a TV executive, explained that grief often presents itself unexpectedly. She stressed the importance of acknowledging these feelings rather than suppressing them.
Support and Self-Care in Times of Grief
Throughout her journey, Charlene has emphasised the value of support from loved ones and employers. She expressed gratitude for ITV's flexibility, stating, 'I work for an amazing company that has given me time when I’ve needed it. When I’ve said: "This week isn’t a good week" they’ve supported me.' This environment has allowed her to balance her professional responsibilities with her personal healing process.
In her message to others, Charlene encouraged people to reach out to their friends and express their love, noting that grief can make one feel lost. She concluded by reminding everyone of the importance of mental health resources, such as Samaritans, which offers confidential help and support.
