Barry McGuigan Chokes Back Tears on Loose Women Discussing the Death of His Daughter

Former world champion boxer Barry McGuigan and his wife, Sandra, made an emotional appearance on Loose Women this Valentine’s Day, 

opening up about the devastating loss of their daughter, Danika. The couple sat down with panellists Kaye Adams, GK Barry, Katie Piper, and Nadia Sawalha to share their grief, 

reflect on their journey through loss, and discuss how they have supported each other in the years since Danika’s passing.

A Heartbreaking Loss

Danika McGuigan tragically passed away in 2019 at the age of 33, just five weeks after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. 

Her sudden illness and passing left the McGuigan family reeling, and Barry has since been vocal about the profound impact it has had on their lives.

During his recent stint on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, Barry spoke about his grief, a moment that deeply moved both his campmates and viewers at home. On Loose Women, host Nadia Sawalha acknowledged the raw emotion he displayed on the reality show and asked Sandra how it felt to watch her husband open up about their daughter’s death in such a public setting.

Sandra admitted that she was concerned for Barry’s emotional well-being, saying, “I was worried, because even though we are five and a half years down the line, it’s nothing. It changes your life forever, and you try to become accustomed to it, but obviously, you know, it’s changed your outlook.”

Coping with Grief Together

Sandra and Barry shared that, despite their unimaginable loss, they have leaned on each other for support. “We’ve always been really good—when one goes down, the other one bounces back up,” Sandra explained.

Barry, 63, who has suffered multiple personal tragedies throughout his life, reflected on the series of heartbreaking losses his family has endured. Fighting back tears, he said, “If I went into the catalogue of disasters we’ve had… Losing my brother to suicide, and then losing my dad at 52, then losing my sister last year, and of all, losing our daughter”

Sandra added that in the aftermath of Danika’s death, they went into a period of isolation, saying, “We hibernated for a very long time.” Barry, visibly emotional, admitted, “Just coming out of it now, actually.”

Barry’s Healing Journey

Barry’s participation in I’m a Celebrity marked one of his first major steps toward healing. Sandra revealed that taking part in the show was a significant challenge for Barry, as he was still dealing with the weight of his grief. “It was one of the first things he did. He went straight in there. There was a real vulnerability there, it was a lot.”

When asked if the experience of being in the jungle felt like therapy, Barry became overwhelmed with emotion as he recalled the kindness and support of his campmates. “GK and everybody else were so great to me, and they all huddled around me when I got upset that day.”

A Love That Stood the Test of Time

During the interview, Barry and Sandra also reminisced about their love story, offering a rare glimpse into their enduring bond. The couple, who have been together for decades, revealed that they grew up just across the street from each other.

“We lived across the road from each other,” Barry recalled, to which Sandra added, “We don’t remember life without each other.”

Barry shared how their families were deeply intertwined, explaining, “Her mum and dad had a hardware and a 15-bedroom hotel, we had a grocery business on the other side. Sandy went to school in the north, I went in the south, but we grew up with each other really.”

In a touching revelation, Sandra shared a heartwarming memory from their childhood, explaining how Barry had given her a wedding ring when they were just eight years old. Barry playfully questioned, “Did I give you a wedding ring, when?” to which Sandra responded, “When we were eight… Some poor lady obviously lost her wedding ring and some crow picked it up and dropped it in our garden.”

Smiling through the tears, Barry added, “She’s still got it.”

Moving Forward While Honoring Danika

Although the pain of losing Danika will never fade, Barry and Sandra are slowly learning to move forward while keeping her memory alive. Their openness about grief has resonated with many who have experienced similar losses, showing that healing is a long and difficult process.

As Barry continues to navigate life after loss, his journey is a testament to resilience, love, and the unbreakable bond of family. While Danika’s absence is deeply felt, Barry and Sandra’s love for their daughter—and for each other—remains a guiding light in their lives.

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