\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Broadcasting legend recognised for stellar career in entertainment and campaigning charity role<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gloria Hunniford \u201cdelighted and humbled\u201d to receive Freedom of the City of London<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 80-year-long career includes singing, TV and radio presenting, panellist, and reporting on consumers\u2019 rights<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
One of the UK\u2019s most popular TV and radio personalities has received the Freedom of the City of London at Guildhall, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to entertainment and campaigning work as a breast cancer charity ambassador. From singer and chat show and current affairs host to presenter of lifestyle and consumer programmes, Gloria Hunniford\u2019s stellar career in entertainment spans 80 years.<\/p>\n
A champion of the role of solo female presenter, in 1982, Gloria became the first woman to have her own daily radio show on BBC Radio 2, which she presented continuously for 13 years, going on to become one of the first female broadcasters to host her own\u00a0TV\u00a0chat show.<\/p>\n
Her many TV credits include Pebble Mill at One, Good Evening Ulster, The Travelling Picture Show, Rip-Off Britain,\u00a0Loose Women, Strictly Come Dancing, This Morning,\u00a0The One Show, Piers Morgan\u2019s Life Stories, This is Your Life, and The Masked Singer. She was nominated for a Broadcast Award in the Best Daytime Programme category for her Loose Women Special: Sir Cliff Richard, Out of the Shadows.<\/p>\n
In the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2017, Gloria was awarded an OBE for services to cancer charities through breast screening services and cancer support. Published in 2018, Gloria\u2019s autobiography, My Life, has become a bestseller.<\/p>\n
Nominated for the Freedom of the City of London by former Lord Mayor Alderman Vincent Keaveny and Vince Dignam, Business Performance & Transport Group Manager at the City of London Corporation, Gloria attended her ceremony at Guildhall today with family members, friends, and colleagues.<\/p>\n
Speaking after her Freedom ceremony, Gloria Hunniford, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cThis has been an extremely special and memorable day for me and my family, and I am grateful to Vincent Keaveny and Vince Dignam for nominating me.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving started my career as a six-year-old in Portadown in Northern Ireland, where I was born, singing from that tender age led me to a career in broadcasting, which I was given back in 1969 at the beginning of the Troubles. Ultimately, that experience led to being given yet another wonderful broadcasting opportunity with BBC Radio 2, which I did daily for 13 years. Television followed, from my own chat show, ITV\u2019s Sunday Sunday, to Heaven and Earth, Rip Off Britain, and Loose Women.<\/p>\n
“Some of my most treasured moments in broadcasting have taken place in this city, so I am delighted and humbled to have received the Freedom of the City of London.\u201d<\/p>\n
City of London Corporation Policy Chairman, Chris Hayward, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cA consummate professional on our screens and airwaves, millions of us have been entertained, informed, and moved by Gloria Hunniford over the years. It has been a pleasure for my colleagues to welcome Gloria to Guildhall for her admission into the Freedom today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alderman Vincent Keaveny said:<\/p>\n
\u201cAs Governor of The Honourable The Irish Society, the City of London\u2019s historic link with Ulster, and now a cross-community charity in Northern Ireland, it is a real pleasure to nominate Gloria for the Freedom of the City of London. \u00a0She has been a wonderful representative of Northern Ireland on TV and radio for many years, bringing much joy and happiness into the lives of her audience.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Her work for cancer charities was honoured with her OBE, but that work continues and it is right that we also celebrate it today. Thank you, Gloria, for all that you have given us!\u201d<\/p>\n
Vince Dignam said:<\/p>\n
\u201cGloria has been a part of our lives as a household name and TV personality for years and she is undoubtedly a national treasure. I got to know Gloria through her charity work and she has been a true inspiration in raising vital funds for cancer charities and supporting one of my charities personally by attending events.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was proud to nominate this amazing lady for the Freedom of the City of London \u2013 it is very much deserved.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of the City of London\u2019s ancient traditions, the Freedom is believed to have begun in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade.<\/p>\n
As well as being nominated for, or applying for, the Freedom, it is also offered by the City of London Corporation to individuals as a way of paying tribute to their outstanding contribution to London or public life, or to celebrate a very significant achievement. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Recent notable recipients include two-time Academy Award-winning actor and humanitarian, Cate Blanchett; best-selling novelist, Ken Follett; former British Ambassador to the US, Dame Karen Pierce; City of London Police Special Constable and TV presenter, Penny Lancaster; and actor, Ray Winstone.<\/p>\n
ENDS\u00a0<\/p>\n
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