Kate Garraway moved Good Morning Britain viewers with a heart-wrenching Derek Draper admission during a dementia care interview on Monday.
During the episode, Kate, 57, discussed her late husband Derek Draper, who died in January at the age of 56 from complications of Covid-19.
Alongside Ed Balls, Kate opened up about Derek, the father of her two children during an emotional chat with guests John and Nula.
The couple, who married in 2016, met while visiting their respective spouses, who had dementia living in a care home.
Kate began the chat speaking about how the couple met in ‘the saddest of circumstances’ but it ‘brought something positive’.
Kate Garraway, 57, was flooded with support on Monday morning when she returned to Good Morning Britain after two weeks off air to care for her sick father Gordon
During the episode, Kate discussed her late husband Derek Draper who died in January at the age of 56 from complications of Covid-19
The couple, who married in 2016, met under the unusual circumstances of both of their spouses, who had dementia living in a care home
Of her relationship with John, Nula said: ‘It wasn’t expected.
‘We were going in and out of a care home with carers to see your loved one, and Bonnie [John’s late wife] just happened to come in and out of James’ [Nula’s late husband] room and I got to know her.’
‘And I would take her down and John downstairs for a coffee and hot chocolate with Bonnie and sometimes I would help to bathe her and she became part of the corridor.
‘Her room was next door to James and I really got to know her very well. She didn’t know me, she just saw me as a face coming through the door and she would sometimes smile and sometimes she wouldn’t.’
Nula added that she and John emailed each other for a year before they got together.
Sharing her own experience of being a carer, Kate said: ‘This is something that I have been through a little bit. Derek did not have dementia but there was a sense after COVID he was absolutely the same person, still loved him as much but there was a change.
‘And, with dementia, this doesn’t happen overnight because it’s something very slowly and the person caring for them has to learn how to love that person that they still love in a different way.’
Derek is survived by his two children with Kate: daughter Darcey, 18, and son Billy Draper, 15.
Monday also marked Kate’s first appearance on GMB in weeks, after she took time out to care for her sick father, Gordon
Monday also marked Kate’s first appearance on GMB in weeks, after she took time out to care for her sick father.
Gordon was rushed to hospital in July after suffering a suspected stroke and heart attack and Kate travelled to Cornwall to be there for him.
On Instagram on Saturday, Kate shared her appreciation and thanks to Virgin Atlantic for helping her amid her father’s illness.
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Kate Garraway shares thanks to staff for helping her through an 'emotional' flight
Kate was planning a special celebration for Billy’s 15th birthday this week, however due to Kate’s father being rushed to hospital two weeks ago she had to make some last minute changes.
The 57-year-old is keeping the birthday plans under wraps at the moment but still posted on her Instagram with a shout out to Wendy at Virgin Atlantic for her support with the hashtag ‘#tea&sympathy’.
In the post Wendy was seen pouring a cup of tea for Kate in the airport lounge and the pair beaming as they took a selfie together.
Kate shared the photos alongside a heartfelt caption, writing: ‘Thank you so much to the amazing gang – and Wendy – for helping me give my son Bill a fantastic birthday.
‘With all that’s happened with my own Dad obviously a lot had to be cancelled as I wanted to be with him and mum and I feared I would have to disappoint Bill – yet again – and not be able to do any of our summer plans.
On Instagram on Saturday, Kate shared her appreciation and thanks to Virgin Atlantic for helping her amid her father’s illness
‘Thanks though to the Virgin team’s incredible logistical brains – and a flight plan that looked like a spider’s web!!!
‘I have managed to keep plates spinning and grab some joy in between.’
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Kate Garraway breaks social media silence after her father was rushed to hospital
The mother-of-two continued to express her thanks to the team for being understanding: ‘But most of all thank you so much to for just “getting it” and knowing that the specialness of the journey is as important as the destination .
‘Your kindness has made an emotional flight so special.’
In July, after not appearing on her usual slots on Good Morning Britain or Smooth Radio, Kate shared that her father had collapsed and suffered from a suspected stroke or heart attack.
At the time a source told The Sun: ‘Very sadly, Kate’s father collapsed earlier this week while staying, along with her mum and her brother in Cornwall.
‘It was incredibly frightening as he was found unconscious and immediately taken to hospital.
‘It seems likely that he’s had a stroke and possibly a heart attack as well – doctors are still doing tests.’