Loose Women paused the show on Thursday to pay a special tribute to Gloria Hunniford, who sadly lost her husband Stephen Way.

Stephen, who was a renowned celebrity hairdresser, died on Tuesday following a “heroic fight” with an illness, his family announced.

After introducing what was coming up on the show, Kaye Adams took a moment to speak about their dear friend and colleague, Gloria.

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 might be aware that her husband Stephen has passed away. In a statement, Gloria said Stephen had been ‘heroically fighting his illness, but always with great tenacity and spirit. We had a tremendously happy 25 marriage and did so many beautiful and exciting things together that I will always cherish’.”

As the studio audience gave a round of applause, Denise Welch continued: “We want you to know, Gliria that we have you in our hearts and we know you will be embraced by so much love because you have a gorgeous family.

“We all loved Stephen and we loved you very much.”

Speaking of her loss on Wednesday, Gloria 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.”

Gloria added: “It’s a great shock and words cannot express my sadness at this time. A bright shining light has dimmed, and he shall be missed at every turn.”Tributes have poured in far and wide for Gloria and Stephen, who had been married for 25 years. Gloria’s former co-star Eamonn Holmes shared his heartfelt condolences on Instagram.

“I feel the pain of Gloria my dear friend of 40 plus years on the loss of Stephen – a true gent and a scholar,” the GB News host wrote before adding: “My genuine heartfelt condolences.”

Gloria and Stephen exchanged wedding vows at St Peter’s Church in Kent in 1998 – and last year, the couple returned to the same spot to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.

Gloria told Hello Magazine at the time: “I can remember walking into the church, filled with family and friends, and the candles all lit – it was wonderful. We’ve often said we would love to live it all over again.

“Of course, there is physical attraction, but our relationship is full of kindness and humour. We enjoy talking to each other. Talk, talk, talk – that is a wonderful thing.”