Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway is adapting to life following the sad death of her husband, Derek Draper, who died almost a year ago on January 3, 2024.
Derek’s death, following a four-year struggle with long COVID, marked the end of an emotionally and physically sad period for Kate and their family. However, as they adjust to life without Derek, the family’s grief still continues.
Giving the world a glimpse inside her home life in a series of ITV documentaries, Kate shared what living with long COVID looked like as Derek’s condition continued to fluctuate. But the hopeful mother of two was left in turmoil following Derek’s demise earlier this year.
Now, brave Kate is balancing grief while rebuilding her life and prioritising her children as she continues her career and advocacy for carers across the UK. We’ve looked inside the broadcaster’s life following Derek’s passing.
Grief
Kate, 57, has spoken candidly about her grief, describing it as a delicate phase where she is “barely holding it together.” She also acknowledged how big the emotional weight of losing someone close is, noting how her life has fundamentally changed since losing Derek, who was 56 years old at the time.
As someone who had dedicated years to his care, the shift to life without him has been both surreal and heartbreaking. She describes her journey as taking “one step at a time,” emphasising the importance of patience in healing.
In March, Kate revealed that her last conversations with Derek were joyous as they still had hope. She told The Times: “We were in a very different place, health-wise, from the year before — and it felt like the happiest place.
“We had more of Derek back. We always knew his injuries could take him, but it all felt so positive at that point. It was the furthest from my mind that anything could happen.”
Parenting and Family Resilience
As a mother to two children, Darcey and Billy, Kate is committed to ensuring they maintain a sense of normality and emotional support during this difficult time. The children have also displayed remarkable strength throughout
Kate recognises that her children are grieving too, and she has prioritised open conversations and shared moments to keep their spirits up. Their resilience has become a key source of motivation for her as she looks ahead to life’s next chapter.
In September, Kate, determined to continue life as normal, assisted Darcy, 18, with her move to university. She wrote on Instagram: “And just like that she was off! That tiny helpless baby we brought home from hospital 18 yrs ago has gone to #uni! Just like thousands of other parents this weekend I was playing that game of #student jenga trying to get it all in the car.”
Financial struggles
The years of caring for Derek left the family facing significant financial challenges. Kate has been transparent about these struggles, including the possibility of selling their family home, which had been extensively modified for Derek’s medical needs.
Earlier this year, Kate spoke out on behalf of unpaid carers like herself, revealing that she owes £800,000 for Derek’s care and speaking about the lack of funding available.
She said: “It’s supposed to be a system that’s meant to catch you if you fall. But actually, it feels like it’s trying to catch you out… Derek’s needs were clearly so great, yet he didn’t warrant funded care — so you think, ‘If he isn’t getting it, then who is?'”
“To be fair to them, no one’s contacted me since he’s passed away to ask for that. They may well still do, but they haven’t as yet,” she revealed to The Times.
Advocacy and awards
Throughout Derek’s illness, Kate used her platform to highlight the challenges faced by carers, sharing her experiences in documentaries and interviews. This advocacy continues to be a priority for her, as she plans to launch a new ITV series focusing on resilience and recovery.
In addition to her advocacy work, Kate has remained committed to her role on Good Morning Britain. Returning to the show shortly after Derek’s death, she thanked her audience and colleagues for their unwavering support, underscoring her gratitude and drive to celebrate life despite adversity.
In addition, Kate has won several awards for her TV documentaries, Caring for Derek, Derek’s Story, and Finding Derek.
After her win at the National Television Awards this year, Kate told fans on Instagram: “My goodness – thank you all so so much – we are in bits but I promise I won’t let you down. Such an incredible series of programmes to be nominated alongside – @robbiewilliams @davidbeckham @victoriabeckham @rhodgilbert @rose.a.e your stories are incredible – it was humbling to be in your group. It means everything to all our family – thank you for recognising carers everywhere and love to you all.” (sic)
Good Morning Britain airs Mondays-Fridays from 6am on ITV1.