GMB's Susanna Reid supports co-star Kate Garraway after Derek Draper backlash

Good Morning Britain's Susanna Reid heaped accolades on her co-star Kate Garraway following her heartfelt revelation last week.

On Mondays edition (September 9) of the morning show, Susanna Reid and Ed Balls were at the forefront guiding viewers through the days top news and showbiz stories from around the world.

As part of the programme, they engaged in conversation with actor Richard Armitage regarding his National Television Award nomination.

Wrapping up the chat, both Ed and Susanna highlighted that fellow presenter Kate was in the running for an award as well. Kate has openly shared her familys ordeal with the audience after her husband Derek fell ill with COVID-19 in 2020.

Encouraging the public to support Kate in the awards, Ed remarked: "You can also vote for our Kate Garraway's Derek story which is also up for an award this week, so that would be good."

Susanna chimed in: "It's a wonderful documentary," reports the Mirror.

Despite warm words from Kates colleagues about the moving documentary Kate Garraway: Derek's Story, the seasoned GMB host acknowledged why she hesitated to discuss her own nomination on social media.

Speaking frankly on Thursdays Good Morning Britain (September 5), she confessed: "I haven't posted I've been nominated yet because I got so much backlash from doing it, for people saying 'stop going on about it'. But actually, I realise I'm letting people down."

At 57, she reflected on her loved one's struggles: "One of the biggest frustrations was that he felt like a total failure, he felt like an incredible burden on the carers, on the system, on us and it didn't matter what we said, he felt that burden, and he wanted to be a contributor," she lamented.

"Making this documentary was his way of saying 'I'm gonna speak up for the people that have supported me, the family but also those around me and the people within the care system.'"

Moreover, she expressed her mixed emotions about continuing advocacy work following his passing: "It's wonderful to have the chance to honour him and also honour the millions. I'm sad because I don't have the chance to care anymore but I felt it would be wrong for me to sort of walk away from the caring campaign that I feel I have a responsibility for."

Derek had made his mark as a political lobbyist and psychotherapist before his untimely death in January 2024, nearly four years after falling ill. Kate took bereavement leave to spend time with her family before returning to her role on Good Morning Britain.

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV1.