Kate Garraway confirms TV return after husband Derek Draper's death
Good Morning Britain's Kate Garraway has confirmed she will return to the show later this week.
The TV presenter has taken time off from ITV's flagship morning show following the death of her husband Derek Draper, a former political lobbyist, early last month.
Chatting to co-hosts Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley via video call on Monday's programme (February 5), Kate announced her plans to be back on screens for this Thursday's show.
Related: Kate Garraway shares emotional message with fans following Derek Draper's death
"I am going to be looking forward to a blow dry, I'm going to be finding fake eyelashes, I'm going to be getting the fake tan," she joked.
"Don't worry – I'll be a little bit more respectable before Thursday," she added, teary-eyed. "Thanks for having a little patience, I feel a bit rusty."
Kate also thanked the Good Morning Britain viewers for their messages of support to her and her family following the loss of Derek.
Related: Kate Garraway's ITV co-stars lead tributes to Derek Draper
"I've also got three baskets of messages from viewers, from the crew – it's just amazing," she said. "It feels like my emotions are at 110%, the unbelievable love we have as a GMB family and ITV generally.
"The love that we have as a family altogether, which is people watching at home, that we're so connected and we've always been connected in all our joys and all our fun and the challenges, of which poor Derek has had head-on," she added.
The TV presenter also shared that she'd received an outpouring of support from celebrities, with David and Victoria Beckham sending her a letter and musician Sir Elton John performing at Derek's funeral.
Derek became ill from Covid-19 in March 2020 and spent 13 months in hospital battling the effects of the virus.
Although permitted to return home, Draper continued to experience health problems and the damage done to his body meant he required constant care.
Kate charted the impact of Derek's illness on the family in two acclaimed documentaries, Finding Derek and Caring for Derek. She also wrote a book about the family's experiences, titled The Power of Hope.
Good Morning Britain airs on ITV.
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