Barry McGuigan became visibly emotional during an appearance on Loose Women, where he opened up about the devastating loss of his daughter, 

Danika, and the profound grief that kept him in what he described as “five years of hibernation.”

The legendary boxer, 63, and his wife, Sandra Mealiff, appeared on the ITV talk show to discuss their 44-year marriage in a special Valentine’s Day segment.

However, the conversation soon turned to a much more personal and heartbreaking topic—coping with the loss of their daughter, 

who passed away in 2019 at the age of 33 after a short battle with bowel cancer.

‘It Changes Your Life Forever’—McGuigan on Grief

Danika, an actress known for her roles in Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope and Wildfire, was diagnosed with bowel cancer just one month before her passing. Her death shattered the McGuigan family, leaving them struggling to navigate life without her.

Speaking to Loose Women panellists Kaye Adams, GK Barry, Katie Piper, and Nadia Sawalha, Barry admitted that even after more than five years, the pain remains raw.

His wife, Sandra, also reflected on their shared grief, saying:

“I was worried… Even though it’s five and a half years down the line, it’s nothing. It changes your life forever. You try and become accustomed to it, but it obviously changes your outlook.”

Barry, who has endured multiple losses in his life—including his brother’s suicide, his father’s passing at 52, and the recent loss of his sister—acknowledged that Danika’s death was the most painful of all.

“We hibernated for a very long time,” Sandra admitted, with Barry adding, “We’re just coming out of it now, actually.”

A Vulnerable Moment on I’m A Celebrity

Barry’s decision to join I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! last year was one of his first major public appearances since Danika’s passing. Sandra acknowledged how difficult it was for him to re-enter the spotlight after years of grief.

“It was one of the first things he did… He went straight in there. It was a real vulnerability,” she said.

Reflecting on his time in the Australian jungle, Barry admitted that being surrounded by his fellow contestants provided unexpected support. When asked by Katie Piper if the experience felt like therapy, he agreed, recalling a particularly emotional moment on the show:

“GK and everyone else was so great to me when I got upset that day…”

However, as he tried to continue speaking, Barry became overwhelmed with emotion, struggling to finish his sentence. His pain was evident as he reflected on how deeply grief still impacts him.

‘Grief Is the Love That Remains’

The Loose Women panellists comforted Barry and Sandra, with Nadia Sawalha sharing a poignant sentiment:

“The pain is the grief, the grief is the love.”

Sandra nodded in agreement, saying, “We’re not the only people going through this. There are so many others dealing with the same loss, the same pain. The longevity of grief—it’s the same for all who experience it.”

Barry added, “Yes, you learn to cope with it.”

He also shared how he still feels Danika’s presence with him every day. Speaking to MailOnline after his I’m A Celebrity appearance, he said:

“She travels with me everywhere… I knew she was with me in there. I probably wouldn’t have got as far as I did without her being with me. I believe that 100 percent—we will see each other again some time.”

A Life Marked by Loss, but Strengthened by Love

Danika’s cancer battle wasn’t her first fight for survival. As a child, she was diagnosed with leukemia at just 11 years old but made a remarkable recovery. Her passing years later was a devastating blow to the McGuigan family.

Barry and Sandra, who married in 1981, have three other children—Shane, Jake, and Blane. The couple, who have shared a lifetime together, also reflected on their long-lasting love story during their Loose Women appearance.

A Love Story That Began in Childhood

The McGuigans’ relationship dates back to their early years growing up in Clones, Ireland. Barry reminisced about how their families lived across the street from one another—Sandra’s parents ran a hardware store and a small hotel, while his family owned a grocery business.

“We knew each other from childhood. It was no surprise we ended up together,” he said.

In a sweet childhood memory, Barry revealed that he gave Sandra a gold wedding ring when they were just eight years old.

“It was a proper gold wedding ring,” he recalled with a smile.

Sandra added, “It was a little big at the time, but I still remember it.”

A Journey of Resilience

Barry McGuigan’s appearance on Loose Women was a testament to the enduring pain of loss but also to the resilience of the human spirit. While he and Sandra continue to navigate life without their beloved daughter, they remain a source of strength for each other.

For Barry, stepping back into the public eye after years of grieving has been a slow and painful process. But as he admitted, he is finally emerging from his “hibernation,” ready to face the world once again—with the unwavering belief that Danika is still with him, every step of the way.

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