BBC Breakfast: Kate Garraway interviewed at the NTAs
Kate Garraway has revealed that she had a heartbreaking question while filming documentary Kate Garraway: Derek's Story about her late husband Derek Draper.
The Good Morning Britain presenter, 57, was visibly moved as she accepted a National Television Award on Wednesday evening as she won the authored documentary category for her deeply personal ITV film Derek's Story.
The documentary details Derek's health battles over the past few years. Derek sadly passed away a few months back after suffering multiple complications due to coronavirus.
Talking in a pre-recorded interview with BBC Breakfast on the red carpet before her NTAs win on Wednesday night, Kate said: "I'm really proud that we managed to finish it as it was obviously heartbreaking that he passed away. There were a lot of thoughts of: 'Is it right to carry on?' but actually he wanted to do it so we wanted to do it."
It comes as Kate expressed her surprise and mixed feelings at winning the honour in an emotional speech at Wednesday's event. She told the star-studded crowd: "I really genuinely did not expect this, goodness me. This is a bittersweet one isn't it?
"It's very bitter to be here, with the gorgeous Darcey and Billy. I promised them they didn't have to say anything. We're halfway through the first year of firsts really. A first Easter and first birthday, without Derek. It's so strange to be here for the first Television Awards without him."
Prior to the awards ceremony, Kate heartbreakingly revealed why she hasn't posted about her Derek documentary. Speaking on a recent episode of her show Good Morning Britain, she said: "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."
Derek sadly passed away in January 2024, nearly four years after he became ill. Following his death, Kate took some time off to be with her family and later returned to Good Morning Britain, where she admitted it was very difficult for her to do the documentary but she felt she owed it to others who care to try and help them get more support.
"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 said.
"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.'"
She added: "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."
