Gloria Hunniford, 84, reveals she was forced to 'take my life in my hands' and make changes to her diet after a stark warning from her GP

Gloria Hunniford has revealed how she was forced to 'take my life in my hands' and make changes to her diet following a stark warning from her GP. 

The Loose Women panelist, 84, admitted how after years of dieting the shock news gave her the 'determination' to stick to healthier choices. 

Gloria, who was diagnosed as pre-diabetic, detailed what she eats in a typical day while speaking in a new interview. 

She told Woman Weekly: 'I'd dieted before, but going on a medical diet gives you determination.

The presenter explained how she now sticks to staples and avoids sugar as much as possible.

'I'll have egg or sausage for breakfast, but no bread. It's soup or salad with fish for lunch, and in the evening I'll replace potatoes with cauliflower, which has the same sort of crunch,' she said.

Gloria Hunniford has revealed how she was forced to 'take my life in my hands' and make changes to her diet following a stark warning from her GP (pictured in July)

Gloria Hunniford has revealed how she was forced to 'take my life in my hands' and make changes to her diet following a stark warning from her GP (pictured in July)

Gloria added: 'My doctor said I was pre-diabetic and told me to take my life in my hands.' 

She recently spoke about the tragic loss of her husband of more than 20 years, Stephen Way, as she returned to Loose Women in October for the first time since his death.

The broadcaster said she was 'determined not to cry' as she joined the panel and talked about how she was coping since Stephen died passed away at the age of 85 in August.

She admitted that her 'life had changed' and she didn't know what it would be like 'going forward' and explained she had lost weight during her husband's illness.

Gloria said: 'It's a heartbreaking situation to lose your partner. One minute you know what your life is, and then next minute you think what is this life is going forward. 

'I want to thank all of you at home and everybody at Loose Women, because the messages were just fabulous. I can't tell you what they mean in the end. 

'It obviously changed my life. It's amazing how sometimes your children become the parents because they take worry about you. But the letters and the cards and messages have really sunk into my soul.'

Struggling to hold back tears, she continued: 'I'm determined not to cry today, I'm trying not to cry.'

The Loose Women panelist, 84, admitted how after years of dieting the news gave her the 'determination' to stick to healthier choices (pictured last month)

The Loose Women panelist, 84, admitted how after years of dieting the news gave her the 'determination' to stick to healthier choices (pictured last month)

She recently spoke about the tragic loss of her husband of more than 20 years, Stephen Way, as she returned to Loose Women in October for the first time since his death

She recently spoke about the tragic loss of her husband of more than 20 years, Stephen Way, as she returned to Loose Women in October for the first time since his death 

Co-star Charlene White then asked Gloria about how the grief had affected her physically, and she admitted she had struggled to eat, but insisted she was okay.

She explained: 'The thing is obviously when your partner is ill, the anxiety and worry and of all that - of course I've lost weight because you don't eat properly and you're always thinking about the other person.

'But I am fine, thank you. My two sons, Paul and Michael, when they come to visit thy watch what I eat, they go, "You haven't finished your chicken!"'

She continued: 'I'm struggling through lots of things, but trying to get back. I've worked since I was seven. 

'Work I know, I like work and I know where I am with work, whereas with all the emotional stuff and sadness, I don't know where I am with that. So I'm glad to be back and see all of you and the crew behind the scenes.' 

Gloria married businessman Stephen in 1998, and said he would leave 'the most enormous void, not only in my life, but our entire family'.

The broadcaster said she was 'determined not to cry' as she joined the panel and talked about how she was coping since Stephen died passed away at the age of 85 in August (pictured together)

The broadcaster said she was 'determined not to cry' as she joined the panel and talked about how she was coping since Stephen died passed away at the age of 85 in August (pictured together)

She admitted that her 'life had changed' and she didn't know what it would be like 'going forward' and explained she had lost weight during her husband's illness (pictured together in January)

She admitted that her 'life had changed' and she didn't know what it would be like 'going forward' and explained she had lost weight during her husband's illness (pictured together in January)

In a statement announcing his passing, his family said: '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.

'Stephen had been heroically fighting his illness... but always with great tenacity and a positive spirit.'

Gloria added at the time: '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.'