Gloria Hunniford made a return to Loose Women on Tuesday, after a scary health battle which saw her end up in A&E over the Christmas period with kidney sepsis.
Ruth Langsford was on hosting duties as the lunchtime discussion show aired its second episode of the week on ITV, welcoming Gloria and co-stars Linda Robson and Janet Street-Porter to the panel. As cameras rolled, Ruth informed Loose Women viewers of what they could expect from the 60 minute long broadcast, including a segment on disgraced social media star Andrew Tate and an interview with Strictly contestant Tyler West and his mum Debbie.
But, before she took the lead on proceedings, Ruth took the opportunity to speak to Gloria, with the TV legend then opening up on why she'd been absent for so long, saying: "People might just assume that you've been away, been on holiday, but you've actually been very unwell," with Gloria replying: "To see the audience, to see all you girls, I'm really happy to be here."
READ MORE: Strictly's Neil Jones left homeless abroad before finding stardom on BBC show
After joking that there might be a 'bit of coughing' from her, Gloria, 82, opened up on the extent of her illness, which started with a bout of kidney stones. She explained: "A specialist says to you' oh it's fine, we'll put a camera up,, we'll put a laser up...blast the stones, blast them to dust and the dust comes out and that's it.'
"So you think it sounds very simple...wrong, in my case anyway. For three weeks I didn't feel myself and then they say when they take the stent out you'll feel fantastic and I'm thinking 'thank goodness for that."
Revealing how things took a concerning turn, Gloria continued: "Next thing you know, I'm being carted off to A&E because they couldn't get my blood pressure up above 73, which is very low, so they had to take me to A&E."
Gloria then remarked she was very nearly 'critical', quipping: "I'm making this out to be very dramatic," Ruth replied: "Well it was!"
Ending her account of her illness, Gloria added: "I then had kidney sepsis and a chest infection, so I've had it all."
*Brenda Blethyn confirms Vera co-star will leave show in new series
*Ruth Langsford breaks news of Eamonn's nasty fall and family tragedy
*Lulu at centre of Masked Singer voting row after early exit
*Giovanni Pernice recruits Strictly co-star for his own tour
