Kate Garraway discussed the overwhelming financial burden left by her late husband Derek Draper’s healthcare costs on the anniversary of his passing during Friday’s show.
Former political lobbyist Derek passed away, aged 56, on January 3, 2024, after a long battle with Covid.
On Good Morning Britain, presenter Adil Ray and co-host Adil Ray engaged in a conversation with Health Secretary Wes Streeting regarding the introduction of a potential new National Care Service, which may not be implemented in England until 2028.
When Derek wasn’t in hospital throughout his four-year battle with the virus, he was looked after 24/7 at home by his wife and carers.
With the subject being very close to her heart, Kate told the politician: ‘I’m thinking about the situation with Derek.
‘It actually happens to be the one-year anniversary of his death today.
‘A day that is only relevant to me.
Reflecting on the challenges faced a year ago, Kate mentioned the difficulties her family encountered, especially the financial strain related to Derek’s care, leading up to his return to intensive care before his eventual demise.
‘At the time of his death, there were two appeals that hadn’t been heard for funding.
‘It kept being pushed back and pushed back.
‘In the meantime I’m lucky I have an incredible job which is well paid. I was having to fund the situation.
‘Now I’ve got excessive unpayable debt because of it.
‘If I’m in that position what else are people going to be?
‘People can’t afford four more years of this!’
Politician Wes Streeting replied: ‘Firstly Kate, I know lots of viewers will feel the same, having followed your anniversary that you’re going through, yourself and your family. All of us are with you.
He added: ‘I think that’s why your story connected with so many people.
‘You’re not just a familiar face on screens, your viewers feel they’ve got a relationship with you as a presenter.
‘It’s also because your experience with Derek, and your family’s experience resonates with so many people across the country who are struggling with the same costs or the same unmet needs or similar experiences.’
Over the past year Kate has revealed that she’s ended up in debts of between £500,000 and £800,000 after trying to care for her late husband.
Back in March 2024, the presenter revealed that she was spending £16,000 a month on care for her late husband.
The star told Good Morning Britain: ‘I am ashamed of the fact I’m in debt. I have an incredible job that I love, that’s very well paid.
‘I’m not a carer travelling miles, paying their own transport to go and help somebody for minimum wage.
‘I’m somebody that is very well paid and so I just feel a shame that I couldn’t make it work.’
It comes after Kate fought back the tears as co-star Ranvir Singh asked about her first Christmas without Derek.
In December it was Kate, daughter Darcey, 18, and 15-year-old son Billy’s first festive season without him.
Kate said: ‘It’s our first Christmas without him.
‘I’ve been talking to Andi Peters, who lost his mum, warned me that Christmas is the hardest time. I think this one will be particularly hard.
‘We’re lucky that I have family around me – my brother, distracting.
‘You do feel grief, that’s the point, you have memories of previous years.
‘We’re lucky enough to still have had him over the four or five years.’
Ranvir asked: ‘Was he very ill this time last year?’
‘Yes he was, he was in intensive care,’ Kate replied.
‘We were going into him in intensive care. Inside my head I did fear, this is a grim one.
‘The children, they were hopeful and he had many times.
‘It’s a tough one this year.
‘Anyone experiencing grief, it does hit you, when you feel something which is full of tradition, where you have memories, it comes back.
‘I’m thinking about everybody else that’s feeling it.’
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV and is avaiable to stream on ITVX.
