The big interview
As her husband, Derek, continues to battle the ongoing effects of Covid, Kate Garraway MBE opens up to Siân Merrylees about finding strength in adversity, taking control of her happiness and enjoying special moments with her family
More than three years on from her husband, Derek Draper, being struck down by Covid, much has changed in Kate Garraway’s life, but one thing remains unaltered: her determination. Having left hospital in April 2021, Derek still needs round-the-clock care and frequent setbacks to his recovery mean he is often rushed back on to the wards. However, Kate, 56, is intent on seeing the positives.
She’s making new memories with her family, taking control of her own happiness and keeping busy with her work, presenting ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Kate Garraway’s Life Stories and hosting her popular Smooth Radio show. She has also poured her learnings from the past few years into a new book, The Strength Of Love, which she hopes will help others going through hardships.
Here, she explains how she, Derek and their children, Darcey, 17, and Billy, 14, are learning to accept their new reality with optimism – and gratitude.
How would you describe where you are with Derek’s recovery?
I’d love to be able to tell you that since Derek has been home everything has been easy, that the miracle of him being at home has turned the day-to-day challenges into a breeze. But because we keep having emergency setbacks and he’s had to be rushed back into hospital so many times, the fear of him dying has never left us. The unpredictability of his day-to-day condition means we’re living on a rollercoaster. We’ll have a wonderful hour when we see real progress, followed by days when he seems to be just clinging on. But we have had plenty of golden moments in our long, dark tunnel.
Why was it important to you to write The Strength Of Love?
It helped me make sense of all we’ve been through, and I also wanted to answer some of the questions I get sent. Hopefully, it will give hope to others going through their own challenges. I can’t promise to have all the answers – my struggle is a work in progress – but in the book, I’ve shared what has helped me so far and things that have set me on a happier path. I’ve tried to keep things hopeful, but I’ve also written about the darker moments, too.
You juggle your TV work and radio show with caring for Derek and looking after your kids. How do you keep going?
Well, I love my work in TV and radio and sometimes it can almost feel like therapy, because it allows me to focus on something else other than my fears for Derek and the children. I am in awe of all the doctors, nurses and carers I see every day and what they take on, and Derek himself battling on, despite sometimes being in so much pain. But in November
