Stephen Way, the husband of television presenter Gloria Hunniford, has died aged 85.
In a statement, his family said: "It is with huge sadness and very heavy hearts that we share the passing of Stephen Way, Gloria's beloved husband, who lost his battle yesterday afternoon. Stephen had been heroically fighting his illness... but always with great tenacity and a positive spirit."
Hunniford, 84, said: "Stephen was a gentleman and a giant of a man, who will leave the most enormous void not only in my life, but our entire family. He was an incredibly kind, generous, and caring man, with a delightfully quirky sense of humour, which remained till the end. We had a tremendously happy 25-year marriage and did so many beautiful and exciting things together that I will always cherish."
Mr Way was described as a "wonderful husband, father and grandfather" with Hunniford adding: "It's a great shock and words cannot express my sadness at this time. A bright shining light has dimmed, and he shall be missed at every turn."
Hunniford - who married second husband Way in 1998 - had spoken openly about her other half’s health issues in the past.
In 2004, Way had a heart attack and in 2012 he suffered his first stroke with a second last year leaving him partially blind in his right eye.
Hunniford also praised the NHS in 2020 for saving her husband’s life after he was involved in a taxi accident in 2019, leaving the base of his spine fractured.