Broadcaster Gloria Hunniford has expressed her delight and humility after being awarded the Freedom of the City of London. The 86-year-old television personality received the honour at the city's Guildhall on Thursday in recognition of her outstanding contributions to entertainment and her campaigning work as a breast cancer charity ambassador.
A Storied Career in Broadcasting
Hunniford's extensive career spans decades, during which she has hosted chat shows, current affairs programmes, lifestyle series, and consumer rights broadcasts. Born in Portadown, Northern Ireland, she made history in 1982 by becoming the first woman to host her own daily radio show on BBC Radio 2, a role she held for 13 consecutive years. She later transitioned to television, becoming one of the first female broadcasters to helm her own TV chat show.
Her television 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.
Charity Work and Personal Loss
Beyond her broadcasting achievements, Hunniford is widely recognised for establishing the Caron Keating Foundation, named after her daughter who died from breast cancer in 2004. Her dedication to cancer charities earned her an OBE in 2017 for services to cancer charities through breast screening services and cancer support. Her autobiography, My Life, was published the following year.
Reflecting on the 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."
Early Beginnings and Personal Milestones
Hunniford began her career at the age of six as a child performer, singing from a young age. She noted: "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. 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."
In 2005, she participated in the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with professional dancer Darren Bennett, and was eliminated in the third week. She lost her husband of more than 20 years, Stephen Way, in 2024, describing his absence as leaving "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.
Tributes from City Officials
Chris Hayward, policy chairman of the City of London Corporation, praised Hunniford as "a consummate professional on our screens and airwaves" who has entertained, informed, and moved millions. Alderman Vincent Keaveny, Governor of The Honourable The Irish Society, highlighted her role as a wonderful representative of Northern Ireland and her ongoing charity work. Vince Dignam, business performance and transport group manager at the City of London Corporation, called her "a national treasure" and expressed pride in nominating her for the honour.
The Freedom of the City of London
One of the City of London's ancient traditions, the Freedom is believed to have begun in 1237 and originally enabled recipients to carry out their trade. Today, it is offered by the City of London Corporation to individuals as a 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.
