Kate Garraway had a heart-to-heart with Renée Zellweger on Friday’s edition of Good Morning Britain while discussing the upcoming film Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.
During their conversation, Kate, 57, found common ground with the movie’s narrative, noting its striking similarities to her own life experiences.
The latest instalment, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, set to premiere on 14 February, continues the saga over two decades after the original Bridget Jones’s Diary. Now, Bridget is a single mother to two children, having lost her husband Mark Darcy (played by Colin Firth).
Back in the dating game, Bridget’s suitors include married teacher Mr Wallaker (portrayed by Chiwetel Ejiofor), and Roxster (Leo Woodall), with Hugh Grant reprising his role as the irresistible heartthrob Daniel Cleaver.
In a pre-recorded interview for Good Morning Britain, Kate spoke to Renée, 55, saying: “Everybody thinks they’ve got a bit of Bridget Jones in them or they know a Bridget Jones!”, reports the Manchester Evening News.
“It’s usually the loveable bits, mine are always the klutzy bits and the falling over and all those other bits as well.
“But since we last chatted, it has felt very personal as I’ve lost my husband, I’ve become a single mum, freshly a single mum, raising two kids on my own, one of them called Billy, so what is it for you, do you tap into a personal loss?”
Renée, known for her role as Bridget Jones, sympathised with the host as she said: “Well first of all, I’m sorry, I’m really sorry, that’s very fresh and sad, it’s probably very raw still for you” to which Kate acknowledged, “Yeah, I think it is.”
Renée offered words of comfort saying, “Of course it is!” prompting a grateful Kate to respond: “Thank you.”
Renée continued: “You feel like your cells change and it’s really hard to explain that to somebody that hasn’t been through it… so certainly I am familiar with that.”
In a tragic turn of events, Kate’s husband Derek Draper sadly passed away in January 2024 at the age of 56. He had been battling severe complications from COVID-19 since early 2020.
Announcing the devastating news at the time, Kate said: “I’m sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away. As some of you may know he has been critically ill following a cardiac arrest in early December which, because of the damage inflicted by Covid in March 2020, led to further complications.
“Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed. I have so much more to say, and of course I will do so in due course, but for now I just want to thank all the medical teams who fought so hard to save him and to make his final moments as comfortable and dignified as possible.
“Sending so much love and thanks to all of you who have so generously given our family so much support. Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life.”
Following his passing, Kate took a break to spend time with her family before bravely returning to Good Morning Britain.
Good Morning Britain continues on weekdays at 6am on ITV and ITV X.