Gloria Hunniford, 85, has revealed the frightening health battle that forced her to step away from Loose Women, after doctors discovered she was suffering from what they described as a “profound” condition.

The broadcaster made her return to the ITV panel on Wednesday, finally explaining why viewers hadn’t seen her on the show for several weeks — and admitting the situation was far more serious than she first realised.

‘My Health Was Evolving’

Speaking candidly on the programme, Gloria Hunniford revealed that her health had been “evolving” for around four weeks before she went into hospital for what she believed would be a routine procedure.

“I haven’t been on the programme because for about four weeks my health was evolving,” she explained. “I went into hospital just to have a routine op — which I knew about and instigated.”

But what doctors discovered came as a shock.

‘Like Dracula’ — Three Pints of Blood

Gloria told viewers that hospital staff quickly realised the situation was far more serious than expected.

“It turned out — in the hospital’s words — that I was ‘profoundly anaemic’,” she said. “I had to have, like Dracula, three pints of blood. I had to have a pint of the strong stuff.”

Doctors also warned her that her blood pressure had dropped dangerously low.

“They said my blood pressure was very low — in the 70s rather than over 100 — so you could keel over at any time,” she added.

A Frightening Discovery

The star revealed she has spent the past month trying to rebuild her strength, while doctors searched for the cause of the problem.

“One of the doctors said, ‘Somewhere you’re losing blood,’” Gloria recalled. “Then you begin to panic.”

Tests later revealed the cause.

“They put a camera down my throat just over a week ago and discovered I have an ulcer,” she said, adding that she was relieved to be told the condition is “fixable.”

Her fellow Loose Women panellists were visibly stunned as she shared the details of her hospital ordeal.

A Tough Few Years for Gloria

Gloria’s health scare comes after an emotionally difficult period in her personal life, following the death of her husband Stephen Way in 2024, aged 85, after what she previously described as a heroic battle with illness.

Speaking on Loose Women last year, Gloria tearfully reflected on caring for Stephen through his health struggles.

“You want to do everything that you can for the person you love,” she said. “But it is exhausting because you’re worried all the time.”

She also admitted that even when loss is expected, it still comes as a devastating shock.

“Even though you might be expecting some time to pass, when it does come to it, it’s such a shock and such pain again.”

Now back on screen, Gloria reassured viewers that she is recovering — but her honest confession has left fans shaken, grateful, and full of admiration for her strength.

Source: Adapted from Daily Mail