Watch as emotional Kate Garraway opens up on spending first wedding anniversary without Derek Draper
KATE Garraway has opened up on her first wedding anniversary without Derek Draper following his death.
The Good Morning Britain star emotionally told The Sun how the special day went following Derek’s passing in January.
Kate appeared at this year’s National Television Awards as she and her children Darcey and Billy collected the gong for Derek’s Story, which followed the final year of his life.
It came just a day after Kate marked what would have been her 20th wedding anniversary to the late political adviser.
She said: “I think everyone says the first year is the hardest, I don’t know if that would be the case, but you do have all the milestones that really trigger memories and that one I found personally very difficult.
“Because, whereas Easter, the kids’ birthdays, we’re very sad with him not with us, that would have been made all about the whole family when he was alive, whereas in this instance it felt like a very personal day between him and I.”
Meanwhile, Kate was reduced to tears as she accepted the NTA during the ceremony last night.
She said: “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 birthdays, without Derek. It’s so strange to be here for the first Television Awards without him.”
Kate recently revealed the heartbreaking “backlash” she endured over the documentary.
The ITV star opened up on being subject to the sickening trolling centred on the show, which documented his battle with Covid as well as shining a light on the essential work of carers.
NTAs was no big surprise, says our telly expert
COMMENT BY ROD MCPHEE
THE only surprise at tonight’s National Television Awards was that there were virtually no surprises.
Ant and Dec took home Presenter Award for the millionth time, Strictly bagged the Talent Show gong and I’m A Celebrity triumphed in the Entertainment category.
Kate Garraway scooping the authored documentary award for Derek’s Story was entirely deserved, but not a total shock either as she’d already done the same two years ago with Caring for Derek.
There were a few curveballs. Emmerdale beating Goliath soaps EastEnders and Corrie was unexpected, particularly as the rivals have both boasted big storylines recently.
And though there was no doubting how hugely moving Mr BatesVs The Post Office was for viewers this year, it was still stunning to see them bag three awards.
Does the general lack of surprises diminish the thrill of the NTAs? Not at all. It remains one of the few awards shows which actually gauges what the majority of Brits are actually watching.
We live in a bewildering world where scandals often rock shows, in an age where streaming means the shared experience is diminished and ratings are hard to decipher.
But year in, year out NTA voters leave us in no doubt which shows they adore, which ones they’ve fallen out of love with, and which celebrities they’re prepared to back.
Look at how quickly relatively new shows like The Traitors, Bridgerton and The 1% Club have been embraced by NTA voters.
They aren’t interested in PR stunts and promotion, in highbrow actors and writers lauded by their fellow luvvies and they certainly can’t stand having what they ought to be watching dictated to them
They tell us all loud and clear, every year, who they consider to be the best – and woe betide any telly exec who ignores them.