Wendy Williams pauses show to be with family following mother’s death

TV host announced earlier this week that her mother, Shirley Williams, has died

Wendy Williams’s show will go on hiatus for a few days following the death of her mother.

“Next week, The Wendy Williams Show will air repeats to allow Wendy to travel and be with her family at this time,” the production told Variety in a statement on Friday.

The programme will return with original episodes on 4 January. The production extended “its deepest condolences to Wendy and her family”.

Williams announced her mother’s death on the air earlier this week.

At the beginning of the broadcast, she explained that she had chosen her outfit to reflect the fashion advice that her mother, Shirley Williams, had given her.

“She’s also died,” Williams added of her mother. “My mom passed away many, many, many, many weeks ago.”

She told the audience: “You know how during corona, during the world topsy-turvy, people starving, people out of jobs – just everybody’s life is something new? And you know how you lose track of the day and date and the time? All I know is that it was a long time ago.”

Williams said her mother “passed away beautifully and peacefully, and surrounded by love”. 

“She didn’t suffer, not one bit. Thank goodness,” the host added.

Shirley Williams was 85 years old.