GMB’s Ben Shephard admits Kate Garraway is ‘battling really hard’ in new update | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV

Ben Shephard has opened up about his friend and Good Morning Britain co-star Kate Garraway’s “horrendous few years” as she dealt with her husband Derek Draper’s Covid battle.

Derek contracted Covid in March 2020 and has been suffering from health issues ever since, he is now in a wheelchair and requires constant care. He spent 184 days in and out of intensive care, with his loved ones fearing the worst for him.

Kate, 56, has had to become a full-time carer for her husband as she has regularly updated her fans about Derek’s health.

Speaking to OK!, Ben praised his long-time friend and co-star for her resilience despite everything life has thrown at her over the past few years.

He said: “We all know Kate has had a horrendous few years with her family and is battling really hard on all fronts. She’s now become such an important voice for the social care system and carers because it’s something she’s living first hand.”

Kate has always been open and honest about Derek’s battle and her own experiences, and earlier this year, she released a new book called The Strength of Love: Embracing An Uncertain Future With Resilience and Optimism.

Ben told the publication: “If you read her recent book, you get a sense of what she and the family have been going through over the last couple of years but that’s just still not the whole story.

“My admiration, love and respect for what she manages to do is boundless – it’s a joy to come in and see her and catch up with her and work with her.”

The mum-of-two recently revealed she’ll be hosting Christmas this year for her family and in-laws as it’s too challenging to get Derek to travel.

She said the practical solution is to just stay at home and have family come over to theirs to celebrate the festive season. Kate’s family festivities will last several days with the help of her beloved parents Marilyn and Gordon, who aim to help out with the cooking.

She said: “We’ll get as much of the family, the Drapers and the Garraways, together – even if it’s not all on one day.”

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am to 9am on ITV1 and ITVX.