TV presenter Gloria Hunniford is set to receive the Freedom of the City of London at a ceremony in the historic Guildhall. The Northern Irish star, widely recognised for her work on programmes such as Rip Off Britain, Loose Women, and The One Show, will be honoured on May 14.
Expressing her delight, Hunniford said: “This will be an extremely special and exciting day for me and my family and I am delighted that I have been chosen to receive this honour. Since being given a job at BBC Radio 2 in the 80s, London has been my home and some of my most treasured moments in broadcasting have taken place in this city, so it is extremely humbling that I have been awarded this accolade.”
A Lifetime of Achievements
In 2017, Hunniford was appointed an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for her contributions to cancer charities through breast screening services and cancer support. Her charitable work has been a significant part of her legacy, particularly through the Caron Keating Foundation, which she established in memory of her daughter, who passed away from breast cancer in 2004.
In 2024, she was also awarded the freedom of her home borough in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, becoming the first woman to receive that honour for her outstanding contributions to broadcasting and charity. Upon receiving that accolade, she remarked: “County Armagh and Portadown, my home town, has always held a very special place in my heart, and to be recognised in this way is incredibly humbling – it’s great to be home.”
Television and Personal Life
Beyond her presenting roles, Hunniford is remembered for her appearance on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2005, where she was partnered by professional dancer Darren Bennett and eliminated in the third week of the third series. More recently, she took part in The Great Celebrity Bake Off For Stand Up To Cancer last year.
Hunniford lost her husband of more than 20 years, Stephen Way, in 2024. She described his passing as leaving “the most enormous void, not only in my life.”
The Freedom of the City of London is a historic honour dating back centuries, granted to individuals who have made significant contributions to the city or society at large. Hunniford’s ceremony at the Guildhall promises to be a memorable occasion for the beloved broadcaster.
