Northern Ireland-born 'national treasure' Gloria Hunniford receives Freedom of the City of London
Popular broadcaster Gloria Hunniford has said she is “humbled” to have received the Freedom of the City of London.
The Portadown native is one of the UK’s most popular TV and radio personalities, with a career in entertainment spanning 80 years as a singer and chat show and current affairs host to a presenter of lifestyle and consumer programmes.
She received the prestigious honour of 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.
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 TV chat show.
Her TV credits include Pebble Mill at One, Good Evening Ulster, The Travelling Picture Show, Rip-Off Britain, Loose Women, Strictly Come Dancing, This Morning, The One Show, Piers Morgan’s Life Stories, This is Your Life, and The Masked Singer.
In 2017 Gloria was awarded an OBE for services to cancer charities through breast screening services and cancer support in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
She was 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 said: "This 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.”
"Having 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’s Sunday Sunday, to Heaven and Earth, Rip Off Britain, and Loose Women.
"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.”
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Ald Vincent Keaveny said: “As Governor of The Honourable The Irish Society, the City of London’s 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.
"She 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.
"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!”
Vince Dignam said Gloria has been a part of our lives as a household name and TV personality for years and she is “undoubtedly a national treasure”.
Describing her as “a true inspiration in raising vital funds for cancer charities”, he added: "I was proud to nominate this amazing lady for the Freedom of the City of London – it is very much deserved.”