GMB stars send support to Kate Garraway after death of husband Derek Draper

Susanna Reid, Ben Shephard and Charlotte Hawkins have sent messages of support to their fellow Good Morning Britain host Kate Garraway after she announced her husband Derek Draper has died aged 56.

Garraway said the former lobbyist and political adviser died after suffering long-lasting symptoms from coronavirus in a post to social media on Friday.

The TV presenter, who married Draper in 2005, often provided health updates about her husband on the ITV morning programme and fronted two ITV documentaries about how their lives changed following his illness.

“On what has been the saddest of days @kategarraway I’ve been reminding myself of the wonderful times and memories we have all shared together,” Shephard said on Instagram, sharing a picture of Draper kissing Garraway on the cheek.

“This is how I’ll always think of Derek – bringing you so much joy, your smile says it all, the size of which is matched only by his love for you, Darcey and Bill. Sending all our love Kate to you and all the family.

“Also thank you to everyone who has reached out to me, I promise I will pass on your messages, I know they will bring Kate so much comfort as they have for the last few years.”

Reid shared a black and white picture of the couple, writing: “Our whole hearts are with you all @kategarraway & Derek’s family.”

Richard Arnold, who fronts the entertainment coverage on Good Morning Britain, added: “By your side always.”

And Hawkins described the news as “absolutely heartbreaking” and sent “much love” to her fellow presenter.

In a post on Instagram, she wrote: “Such desperately sad news about Derek.

“It’s been an incredibly tough time for all the family & Kate has been so strong throughout all this – please send her your love & prayers so she knows we’re all here for her.”

Former Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan also sent his “deepest love and condolences” to the family, sharing a photograph of the smiling couple on Instagram.

“A brilliantly clever and funny man who fought his covid health hell with such courage & resilience, helped every step of the way by his magnificent wife ⁦‪Kate‬⁩ whose loyal, loving, selfless devotion was truly astounding,” he said.

“This photo was taken when they attended my annual Christmas pub party in December 2019, just after Kate got back from doing I’m A Celebrity during which the country got to see at first hand what a brilliant marriage they had.

“They talked excitedly that night about renewing their wedding vows the following summer. But just three months later, Derek got the virus, was rushed to hospital, and their near four-year nightmare began.”

Fellow ITV presenter Lorraine Kelly described Garraway as “an astonishing woman” as she sent her sympathies.

She reshared Garraway’s post to Instagram and added: “This is just so sad. Our friend @kategarraway has been so strong and brave.

“Thoughts with her and her children and family. She was right by his side until the end and did him proud. An astonishing woman.”

This Morning host Alison Hammond said the crew of the ITV mid-morning show were “sending our love” to Garraway and her children, while presenting the show on Friday.

She said: “We just want to say, all of us here at This Morning, we’re sending our love to you Kate and, of course, Darcey and Billy.”

ITV’s Loose Women opened its programme on Friday with praise for how Garraway and Draper dealt with the challenges they faced over the last few years.

Panellist Kaye Adams said: “We have all obviously been moved by Kate and the family’s journey over the last three or four years and so full of admiration for the way that they have dealt with the incredible challenges that they faced and, as I say, the saddest of news.”

Coronation Street actress Sue Cleaver also hailed Garraway for her documentaries about their life with Draper’s illness.

She said: “We all got to accompany Kate on this terrible journey through these amazing documentaries that she made.

“(It was) the darkest time of their lives, and yet she was still able to highlight the roles of carers everywhere today and my heart is just with them and so, so sorry to hear the news.”

ITV boss Kevin Lygo also sent “heartfelt condolences” to Garraway on behalf of staff at the broadcaster who have worked with her over the years.

In a statement, the ITV managing director of media and entertainment said: “Everyone that has worked with Kate at ITV over the past few years are desperately saddened to hear this terrible news.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Kate and Derek’s family and we will continue to offer our support in any way we can at this very difficult time.”

Broadcaster Carol Vorderman also sent her “thoughts & love” to Garraway and her family, adding: “Heartbreaking, after the last years, they have lost the man they love so much.”

Comedian Alan Carr said: “Oh Kate that’s so awful. Sending you so much love and the deepest condolences.”

Line Of Duty actress Vicky McClure, singer Alesha Dixon, Boyzone star Ronan Keating and radio host Zoe Ball were also among those sending their love to Garraway.