ITV Loose Women paused as Denise Welch fights tears in emotional message to Gloria Hunniford

There was a sombre moment during the opening of the latest Loose Women as Kaye Adams and Denise Welch addressed the loss of co-star Gloria Hunniford's husband.

Gloria issued a heartbreaking statement confirming the news of her husband Stephen Way's passing following a 'heroic fight' on Wednesday (August 14). The broadcaster had been married to hairdresser Stephen since 1998.

He died earlier this week after a battle with a long illness. A statement read: "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.

READ MORE: Rochelle Humes says 'truth is' as she shows reality behind 4-day Ibiza trip with husband Marvin

"Stephen had been heroically fighting his illness… but always with great tenacity and a positive spirit." The 84-year-old also paid tribute to her husband as she remembered him as an "incredibly kind, generous man" and noted that she will "always cherish" the 25 years she got to spend with him.

She said: "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."

Following the sad news, on Thursday's (August 15) Loose Women, after introducing what was coming up on the show, the ITV show's anchor Kaye took a moment to speak about their colleague and friend.

She began: "We couldn't go any further without sending all of our love and blessed wishes to Gloria and all of her family. I think you