During a recent episode of Loose Women, ITV panellist Janet Street-Porter opened up about her reflections on life after celebrating her 78th birthday. She admitted to feeling increasingly conscious of being the last surviving member of her immediate family, following the deaths of her parents and younger sister.
Janet shared a nostalgic photo online from her birthday with her sister, explaining to her fellow Loose Women that it was a significant moment for her to reminisce and reflect. Ruth Langsford chimed in on the topic of ageing and remembering deceased family members, saying: "I'm 65 this year, it's very easy to slip into that, 'Oh god, I can't believe I'm 65, I'm so old'. I don't, I now have to look forward and think, 'How amazing I'm 65, I'm here, I'm alive, I'm standing up'.".
The ITV star also spoke about the heartbreaking loss of her sister Julia, revealing that she always remembers her on her birthday. She said: "I remember when she died thinking, 'I must live my life well because she didn't get the chance'. She wouldn't want me being sad forever without her. So, that kind of drives me on.
Ruth's younger sister tragically took her own life in 2019 at the age of 62. Julia had been struggling with depression for many years prior to her untimely death, reports the Liverpool Echo. Following the tragedy, Ruth took a hiatus from her presenting duties to grieve for her sister. Ruth Langsford previously opened up about her way of coping with sorrow, revealing on the show that she would often cry in the shower to release her emotions.
