Kate Garraway has been away from TV for a while as she was caring for her husband, Derek Draper after he contracted Covid-19 in 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic. Derek suffered a great deal after contracting the virus and eventually developed long-covid.
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Sadly, Derek lost his battle and died on Januar 3, 2024 at the age of 56. Derek’s wife and Good Morning Britain host, Kate Garraway was by his side throughout his ordeal and reportedly held his hand as he took his last breath.
On Thursday, February 2 family and friends gathered to bid a final farewell to Derek as his funeral, which took place at St Mary the Virgin Church in Primrose Hill, north London, where Derek and Kate got married in 2005. Just three days after her husband’s funeral, Kate has made a big decision regarding her TV career.
Kate Garraway will give an interview
As per Daily Mail, Kate Garraway will give an interview with Good Morning Britain (GMB) on Monday, January 5, just three days after burying her husband. The last time Kate appeared on GMB was on December 8, 2023.
A source told The Sun that even though Kate has had a rough couple of months, she wanted to return to work and that she is excited to return to the ITV studios:
Kate has had an incredibly rough past couple of months, and it has taken its toll mentally and physically.
But she is a workhorse, and journalism, being on live TV, runs through her blood - it's what she knows and loves.
It's not a decision she's taken lightly but she's genuinely excited to get back into the studio.
ITV have given Kate Garraway their full support
According to The Sun, ITV has given their full support to Kate Garraway as she deals with the death of her husband. The studio has reportedly told Kate she can take time off whenever she needs and is providing a ‘full duty-of-care package including counselling if needed’.
The source told The Sun:
Kate’s well-being is everyone’s main concern.
On Sunday 4 February it was suggested that not only would Kate be returning to GMB for an interview on Monday, but that later in the week she would be back to working full-time on the morning show and join her co-host, Ben Sheppard once again.
The source added that Kate is looking for some ‘normality’ after caring for Derek for the past four years, which has also impacted her financial situation. Indeed Kate must also think about her two children and provide for them.
After caring for Derek and her family for almost four years, Kate needs to get back to some sort of normality...It also goes without saying that being a full-time carer for Derek had a massive impact on her financial situation.
Kate Garraway back on Good Morning Britain
During her interview on 5 February, Kate Garraway has confirmed the rumours and announced that she would be back on the show on Thursday 8 February. In her interview she said:
I am looking forward to coming into the world and connecting with everyone again.
In the interview she also explained that people were asking her why she was going back to work so soon. As a reminder Garraway buried her husband Derek on Friday 2 February. She stated
That's what Derek would want me to do. Thank you to everyone who made it possible.
Read more:
⋙ Kate Garraway: How has the presenter been doing since the tragic death of husband Derek Draper?
⋙ Kate Garraway forced herself to do this when her husband was in a coma: 'I searched his last...'
⋙ Piers Morgan: The TV presenter's touching tribute to Kate Garraway after her husband's passing
Sources used:
Daily Mail: ‘Kate Garraway to return to work on Monday for emotional interview on GMB just 3 days after beloved husband Derek's funeral’
The Sun: ‘KATE’S BACK Brave Kate Garraway returning to work for emotional interview on GMB just 3 days after beloved husband Derek’s funeral’
Express: ‘Kate Garraway's 'TV return confirmed' just days after beloved husband Derek's funeral’
Daily Mail: Kate Garraway chokes back tears as she returns to GMB just three days after husband Derek's funeral to reveal heartbreaking detail of his final hours - and how daughter Darcey told him: 'We'll be OK, Dad' before he slipped away
