It’s been a hugely difficult 12 months for Kate Garraway, adjusting to life as a single mum following the heartbreaking death of her husband Derek Draper in January – and now a source says the inspirational Good Morning Britain presenter has big plans to make 2025 her most successful year yet in Derek’s honour.
Kate, 57, announced the tragic news in January that her husband of 19 years had passed away, aged just 56. Political lobbyist and psychotherapist Derek had faced a long health battle after contracting COVID-19 in 2020 – leaving him with long-term complications that required ‘around-the-clock care’.
And having spent the last 12 months bravely navigating her grief, a source tells Closer that the mum-of-two is ready to turn over a new leaf.
They say, ‘This year has been the worst year of Kate’s life. The festive period will never be the same again, but Kate has a solid network of friends, family and love surrounding her. Some days are OK, others are totally crap, but she’s told pals she’s refusing to give in. In Derek’s memory, she wants to make 2025 a great year.’
Earlier this year, Kate emotionally revealed how Derek’s complex care needs had left her with crippling debt. Reports alleged the star owes around £2 million, with Kate revealing that she withdrew money from her pension to help cover her husband’s substantial medical costs.
Opening up in her documentary, Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story, the presenter – who shares daughter Darcey, 18, and Billy, 15, with Derek – explained, ‘Derek’s care costs more than my salary from ITV, and that’s before you pay for a mortgage, household bills, or anything for the kids, so we are at a crunch point.’
It seems financial worries have only grown – with recently filed reports alleging that the presenter’s TV firm, Praespero 100 Ltd, has plunged from huge profit to £165k debt over the course of the year.
It comes after Kate admitted to feeling ‘ashamed’ over her finances, explaining to viewers, ‘I am ashamed of the fact that I am in debt, because I have an incredible job that I love, that’s very well paid. I just feel a shame that I couldn’t make it work.’
And now, the source reveals that Kate has plans to ramp up her TV career to help put money struggles to bed. They reveal, ‘Kate’s going to focus on getting more work next year. She has big financial worries, so she’s got her ‘game face’ on and is chatting to ITV about new opportunities. She’s going up for some big shows, and she really wants to work on This Morning with Ben Shephard – they’re going to review the show soon, so she’s got her sights set on that.’
However, Kate is also looking to her past achievements for some career inspiration, too. Alongside her GMB role, Kate presents ITV’s Life Stories, as well as fronting several award-winning documentaries – including 2021’s Finding Derek, and 2022’s Caring For Derek.
The source reveals, ‘Kate is keen on Life Stories and doing more documentaries. Filming kicks off in January for her next series – it was hanging in the balance, but has now been given the commission to go ahead with a strong line-up of guests.’
A seat on the This Morning sofa alongside close pal Ben, 50 – who was Kate’s GMB co-host before stepping down in February – would prove a dream gig for Kate. The star has leaned heavily on her friends over the past 12 months, with a close inner circle made up of her TV colleagues, including Ben, Susanna Reid and weather presenter Clare Nasir. Previously speaking to Closer, Clare described how friends were operating a ‘rota’, ‘tag-teaming’ to ensure the star had her loved ones around her as she ‘waxed and waned’ amid her heartbreak.
But above financial plans and career hopes, the source adds that Kate is looking forward to having a fresh start, prioritising herself and her family as they navigate their first year without Derek. The source shares, ‘Kate’s decided to put 2024 behind her and overcome the sh*tstorm of a year. She’s had some time to eflect, decompress and heal. Of course, she isn’t anywhere near fully healed, and probably never will be, but her head is in a better place.
‘Life will never be the same again,’ they add, ‘but Kate has a solid network of friends, family and love surrounding her. Some days are fine, others are lonely – even if she’s busy and in a room full of people. She sometimes talks to Derek for comfort, and she knows he’s listening and willing her on.’