Latest news with #Hunniford
The Independent
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Why Gloria Hunniford was forced to quit Celebrity Bake Off
TV presenter Gloria Hunniford has opened up about her withdrawal from The Great Celebrity Bake Off, saying she had to leave after a 'terrible' fall that required hospitalisation. The incident occurred backstage before the "Showstopper" round, filmed last summer. Hunniford said missing the final round was a 'real shame', having prepared a family-inspired cake recipe. Despite the incident, judge Paul Hollywood offered positive feedback on Hunniford's unfinished creation, saying she had executed the concept 'really well'. Hunniford confirmed her recovery on Instagram, emphasising her support for Stand Up to Cancer, the charity for which this season of Celebrity Bake Off is raising funds.
The Independent
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Gloria Hunniford forced to quit Celebrity Bake Off after being dashed to hospital
Gloria Hunniford explained that she had to be dashed to the hospital when filming Celebrity Bake Off last summer. The television presenter and Loose Women panellist, 85, is one of many famous faces taking part in the Stand Up to Cancer spin-off. Other celebrities involved include Amelia Dimoldenberg, Kate Garraway and Roman Kemp. Hunniford was present throughout the majority of the show but had to pull out before the 'Showstopper' round, with host Alison Hammond telling the other contestants that she was 'feeling unwell but she wanted us to carry on anyway'. However, Hunniford has since revealed that she had suffered a 'terrible fall' backstage and had to be quickly sent off to a hospital to be checked over. Speaking to The Mirror, she said: 'I had a terrible fall at the end of the programme, so I never got to finish it.' Talking about her showstopper piece, she added: 'I thought my dice cake looked pretty good! For me, it looked amazing, considering I'd never baked before. And the theme was inspired by my dad, it was my mother's recipe, which I really liked. I practiced it at home and gave it to my son for his birthday, so it really tied in with the family theme. I don't think I would have won, but I was really pleased with it.' During the show, the judges still attempted to give feedback on Hunniford's piece which was an egg-free four-layer chocolate cake, filled with golden syrup and vanilla filling. Paul Hollywood said: 'I like the concept. The concept is being executed really well.' Hammond added: 'Such a shame Gloria wasn't feeling very well and wasn't able to tell the story.' Hunniford further reflected on her time on the show in a video shared on Instagram where she said she was now 'fine'. 'It was a real shame that I missed being there for the showstopper because, unfortunately, I had a fall and ended up in hospital for some screening – but I was fine,' she explained. 'And I wanted to say as well that I am a great, great supporter not only of the programme, which I adore but also of Stand Up to Cancer because not only, sadly, did I lose my gorgeous daughter to cancer but last year, very sadly as well, I lost my husband Stephen. So cancer is very foremost in our family in terms of support. And I think that the programme, and what it does through the programme, is absolutely brilliant.' Thankfully Hunniford has appeared on television numerous times since the incident. Viewers watching the Channel 4 show on Sunday would have seen Ghosts actor Jim Howick crowned as this week's Star Baker.
The Independent
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Loose Women's Prue Leith, Gloria Hunniford and Lesley Joseph's tips to thrive in your 70s
Dame Prue Leith, 84, Birds of a Feather sitcom star Lesley Joseph, 79, and broadcaster Gloria Hunniford, 84, joined Janet Street-Porter, 78, on the Loose Women panel for a This is 70+ special. In the show – which marked ITV 's 70th birthday – the four powerhouse panellists discussed everything from fashion to friendships in your 70s and beyond. The glamorous 70-plus squad shared some life lessons they have embraced in their golden years on Loose Women. Here are some valuable life lessons they've learnt along the way. Prue Leith The Great British Bake Off judge said that although a few negative things come with age, she has decided to make the most of it and have fun. And one way she does this is through colourful outfits choices. 'I have always liked colour, but I didn't dare wear it and then I started to be a bit braver,' said Leith. 'I got married in a red dress.' Having a supportive spouse [John Playfair], who happens to be a retired clothes designer with exquisite taste, has helped push the chef out of her comfort zone. 'When I married John he was a fashion designer and a manufacturer, so he really pushes me,' said Leith. 'If I say, 'Do you think these earrings are too extreme?' He says, 'No,no have the bigger ones'. He always pushes me.' Her top tip for women looking to refine their style in their 70s is to invest in eye-catching accessories, such as bright signature glasses. 'I think that we waste far too much money on handbags and shoes, and where do they sit? In the cupboard or under the table. Nobody looks at them,' said Leith. 'If you wear necklaces and glasses and earrings they are bang in your eye-line, and people see them. So, change your spending habits.' On the show, she also encouraged women to embrace their glorious grey locks. 'I used to streak it, when everybody used to have lots of different streaks, but then after a while I thought the streak I liked the best was the grey one,' said Leith. Gloria Hunniford For Hunniford, having a positive attitude about ageing is key to thriving in your 70s and beyond. 'When I used to get to the big fat zeros, like 60 or 70, I used to think, 'Oh I hate the zeros',' shared Hunniford. 'But, once the zero day passed then everything was fantastic. So, I think it is all about attitude and embracing it. 'Quite frankly, I wake up every morning and think I'm glad I am still alive to actually enjoy it.' And, like Leith, she finds confidence in colourful clothing. 'My mantra would be colour, colour, colour,' said the broadcaster. 'The older I get, the more colour I want.' Since her husband passed away last year, Hunniford has rediscovered the importance of friendships. She encouraged anyone who is feeling lonely to pick up the phone. 'I don't do any social media stuff at all, I just lift the phone, the good old phone, when I want to have a chat,' said Hunniford. 'Even when I can print off information from my computer, I'll still say to someone, 'Give me your phone number will you?' I like to phone people.'When I lost my lovely husband four or five months ago, you realise the importance of family, because I have a great family, but also friendship. Friends got in touch that I hadn't seen for ages.' Lesley Joseph Lesley Joseph described ageing as 'liberating' on the Loose Women special, and encouraged others to be authentically themselves. 'I feel much freer now I am older, because I am working in a different way,' said the sitcom star. 'I've got to this age and can be who I am, I can do what I want and I am free to do that, and it's very liberating.' Joseph's mother, Rebecca Mundy, who died at age 103, played tennis until late in life, and the actor said she tries to mirror this energy and zest for life. 'She was amazing, she lived through two world wars, she was born in 1912, she played tennis into her 90s, and it was all about keeping fit,' said Joseph. 'I walk everywhere. If I'm in Sloane Square at the hairdresser or something and I am meeting somebody in the West End I will walk two miles to get there.' Surrounding herself with a circle of great friends, of all ages, has also helped her thrive in her 70s. 'I am very lucky because when I work on a show where I am meeting with people all of the time,' said Joseph. 'I have got friends from back when I was practically born… and also I work with a lot of young people. Like in Sister Act [the musical] which I have just been doing, there are people from every age group and I always try and take two or three good friends away from every show.'
The Independent
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Prue Leith, Gloria Hunniford and Lesley Joseph's top tips to thriving in your 70s and beyond
Dame Prue Leith, 84, Birds of a Feather sitcom star Lesley Joseph, 79, and broadcaster Gloria Hunniford, 84, joined Janet Street-Porter, 78, on the Loose Women panel for a This is 70+ special. In the show – which marked ITV's 70th birthday – the four powerhouse panellists discussed everything from fashion to friendships in your 70s and beyond. Here are some valuable life lessons they've learnt along the way… Prue Leith The Great British Bake Off judge said that although a few negative things come with age, she has decided to make the most of it and have fun. And one way she does this is through colourful outfits choices. 'I have always liked colour, but I didn't dare wear it and then I started to be a bit braver,' said Leith. 'I got married in a red dress.' Having a supportive spouse [John Playfair], who happens to be a retired clothes designer with exquisite taste, has helped push the chef out of her comfort zone. 'When I married John he was a fashion designer and a manufacturer, so he really pushes me,' said Leith. 'If I say, 'Do you think these earrings are too extreme?' He says, 'No,no have the bigger ones'. He always pushes me.' Her top tip for women looking to refine their style in their 70s is to invest in eye-catching accessories, such as bright signature glasses. 'I think that we waste far too much money on handbags and shoes, and where do they sit? In the cupboard or under the table. Nobody looks at them,' said Leith. 'If you wear necklaces and glasses and earrings they are bang in your eye-line, and people see them. So, change your spending habits.' On the show, she also encouraged women to embrace their glorious grey locks. 'I used to streak it, when everybody used to have lots of different streaks, but then after a while I thought the streak I liked the best was the grey one,' said Leith. Gloria Hunniford For Hunniford, having a positive attitude about ageing is key to thriving in your 70s and beyond. 'When I used to get to the big fat zeros, like 60 or 70, I used to think, 'Oh I hate the zeros',' shared Hunniford. 'But, once the zero day passed then everything was fantastic. So, I think it is all about attitude and embracing it. 'Quite frankly, I wake up every morning and think I'm glad I am still alive to actually enjoy it.' And, like Leith, she finds confidence in colourful clothing. 'My mantra would be colour, colour, colour,' said the broadcaster. 'The older I get, the more colour I want.' Since her husband passed away last year, Hunniford has rediscovered the importance of friendships. She encouraged anyone who is feeling lonely to pick up the phone. 'I don't do any social media stuff at all, I just lift the phone, the good old phone, when I want to have a chat,' said Hunniford. 'Even when I can print off information from my computer, I'll still say to someone, 'Give me your phone number will you?' I like to phone people.'When I lost my lovely husband four or five months ago, you realise the importance of family, because I have a great family, but also friendship. Friends got in touch that I hadn't seen for ages.' Lesley Joseph Lesley Joseph described ageing as 'liberating' on the Loose Women special, and encouraged others to be authentically themselves. 'I feel much freer now I am older, because I am working in a different way,' said the sitcom star. 'I've got to this age and can be who I am, I can do what I want and I am free to do that, and it's very liberating.' Joseph's mother, Rebecca Mundy, who died at age 103, played tennis until late in life, and the actor said she tries to mirror this energy and zest for life. 'She was amazing, she lived through two world wars, she was born in 1912, she played tennis into her 90s, and it was all about keeping fit,' said Joseph. 'I walk everywhere. If I'm in Sloane Square at the hairdresser or something and I am meeting somebody in the West End I will walk two miles to get there.' Surrounding herself with a circle of great friends, of all ages, has also helped her thrive in her 70s. 'I am very lucky because when I work on a show where I am meeting with people all of the time,' said Joseph. 'I have got friends from back when I was practically born… and also I work with a lot of young people. Like in Sister Act [the musical] which I have just been doing, there are people from every age group and I always try and take two or three good friends away from every show.'
