A NEW trailer has given a first look at Kate Garraway’s emotional return to GMB – and her poignant message after her beloved husband Derek Draper’s funeral.
Garraway, 56, will be back on TV screens tomorrow – just three days after Derek’s funeral.
The Good Morning Britain star, 56, will give a live interview to the show from her home, then rejoin co-host Ben Shephard from Thursday.
A trailer for Garraway’s return showed a series of clips of her and Derek together.
The voiceover said: “Kate Garraway has shared the story of caring for Derek for the last four years, highlighting the struggle faced by thousands.
“Tomorrow she returns to Good Morning Britain to talk for the first time since the death of her beloved husband. From 6am on Good Morning Britain.”
Read More Kate and Derek
Heartbroken Kate has told pals she is keen to keep busy and get stuck into work as she continues to mourn Derek.
Mum-of-two Kate has also told bosses at Smooth FM she is keen to host her popular morning radio show there as well.
A source said: “Kate has had an incredibly rough past couple of months, and it has taken its toll mentally and physically.
“But she is a workhorse, and journalism, being on live TV, runs through her blood — it’s what she knows and loves.
Most read in Showbiz
“Kate is keen to keep busy and get stuck back into work.
“It’s the perfect time for her to be reunited with her GMB family.
“Everyone at GMB has been hugely supportive, and are desperate to support and welcome her back into the family.
“They’re excited to have her back after so long away.
“After caring for Derek, and her family, for almost four years, Kate needs to get back to some sort of normality. And she wants to throw herself back into work, 3.45am starts and all.
“It also goes without saying that, in effect, being a full-time carer for Derek has also had a massive impact on her financial situation.
“Quite simply, she needs to work to provide for their kids, and bring stability back into their lives.
“It’s not a decision she’s taken lightly but she’s genuinely excited to get back into the studio.
“She knows she needs to bite the bullet, and now seems as good a time as any.”
‘REST GENTLY’
Kate was last seen on GMB on December 8.
She is provisionally scheduled to return full-time, though ITV have offered their full support and said she can take time off as and when.
It is also understood bosses are providing a full duty-of-care package including counselling if needed.
A source added: “Kate’s well-being is everyone’s main concern.”
Derek had flown to Mexico the week of December 8 for specialist treatment for long Covid.
While there, he suffered a devastating cardiac arrest, and Kate was forced to tell ITV execs she needed indefinite time off.
She flew to Mexico to be by his bedside, informing only close family and friends about his condition.
Tomorrow, Kate will be live on air to talk for the first time about her husband’s brave final battle, and discuss his funeral, which was attended by a host of politicians and celebrity friends of the couple.
Kate fought back tears at the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Primrose Hill, North London — where the couple wed in 2005.
The priest who married the pair gave a reading during the two-hour Catholic ceremony.
Ex-PM Tony Blair, political adviser Derek’s former boss, gave a speech.
Sir Elton John sang Skyline Pigeon, with lyrics including “Turn me loose from your hands/Let me fly to distant lands”.
Kate’s GMB co-stars past and present, including Ben, Richard Madeley, Piers Morgan — now at TalkTV — Charlotte Hawkins and Susanna Reid attended in support of their popular colleague.
The couple’s children, Darcey, 17, and Billy, 14, laid flowers saying “we love you Dad”, with Darcey one of the pallbearers.
Last summer courageous Kate was honoured with an MBE for her services to broadcasting, journalism and charity.
The presenter, who always vowed “never to give up” on Derek, produced two award-winning documentaries on the psychotherapist’s fight with coronavirus.
She was widely praised by carers’ groups and charities for raising awareness on the plight of those looking after family with debilitating conditions.
Kate, who survived on four hours sleep caring for Derek, suffered her own secret health battle last year when rushed to A&E at 4.30am.
She had collapsed and doctors warned her she could be suffering from stress-related angina. Kate has also spent the last few years fighting to provide for her family.
Reports have suggested she may be forced to sell her home which was adapted to accommodate Derek’s recovery.
And last year she was landed with a £716,000 tax bill.
The couple had to close down Derek’s psychotherapy company with him unable to work.
In addition, Kate is understood to have run up medical bills totalling almost £1million, refusing to stint on Derek’s healthcare.
She was left devastated when he passed away on January 3.
Kate wrote: “Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed.
“I have so much more to say, and I will do so in due course, but for now I just want to thank all the medical teams who fought so hard to save him and to make his final moments as comfortable and dignified as possible.
“Sending so much love and thanks to all of you who have so generously given our family so much support.
“Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life.”
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Derek was among the first in the UK to fall seriously ill with coronavirus in March 2020, and was admitted to an intensive care unit and put on a ventilator.
He spent 13 months in hospitals, becoming Britain’s longest suffering in-patient.
