Gloria Hunniford's horror hospital dash as sepsis battle turned deadly (2025)

Gloria Hunniford revealed her sepsis battle (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Loose Women legend Gloria Hunniford shared details about her alarming health scare that led to an emergency dash to the hospital. The seasoned presenter of shows such as Rip Off Britain and Loose Women was diagnosed with kidney stones, leading to a series of medical interventions. Following an initial surgery, she had to undergo another procedure three weeks later to get a stent removed, which had been placed during her first operation. However, Hunniford's health took a frightening turn shortly after her general anaesthesia.

Recounting her experience, she said: “The last thing they said before I went to theatre was: ‘When I take this stent out, you are going to feel so much better. But the next thing I knew coming out of the anaesthetic was a nurse saying to me: ‘Don’t worry, don’t panic but we are having to transfer you by ambulance to a different hospital because we can’t get your blood pressure up.’”

Gloria Hunniford was devastated when her daughter died (Image: Daily Mirror)

Taken from a Maidstone hospital to an A&E nearby, the 82-year-old recalled the toll the ordeal took on her energy levels. "It was like somebody had put a tap in my body and just drained all the energy," she said.

The doctors later identified the cause behind her severe symptoms as kidney sepsis. Fortunately, the infection had not spread past her kidney.

Reflecting on the incident, Hunniford said: “I guess that’s why I felt so awful and it did flatten me for a while."

The star has bravely opened up about her health scare, revealing that she spent most of her time resting and sleeping due to depleted energy levels and a loss of appetite.

The beloved presenter said: “Medical professionals said it could take up to six months to return to what one would deem normality after two anaesthetics so close together.”

Editorial use onlyMandatory Credit: Photo by Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock (13440474l)Gloria Hunniford'Loose Women' TV show, London, UK - 05 Oct 2022 (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Despite the setback, Hunniford returned to the public eye with remarkable speed, attributing her recovery to setting herself small goals and the unwavering support of her now late husband Stephen and her family.

She gratefully shared: “I set myself little tasks and my Stephen was marvellous. He was chief cook and bottle-washer and my whole wonderful family rallied round."

Now nearly back to full strength, Hunniford revealed she has regained about "98%" of her energy. The ordeal has only strengthened her resolve to face life's hurdles head-on.

"We all know that stuff will be thrown at you and it's how you deal with things," she stated.