Kate Garraway praises her ‘phenomenal’ GMB co-host Ben Shephard for ‘trying to do everything he can to help’ amid her husband Derek Draper’s coronavirus battle
Kate Garraway has praised her Good Morning Britain co-host Ben Shephard for his ‘phenomenal’ friendship amid her husband Derek Draper’s coronavirus battle.
The presenter, 53, said that the ITV star, 45, has been ‘trying to do everything he can to help’.
Kate also noted that she is aware if ‘how tough’ it has been for Ben and that his support over the last year has been ‘another level’.
Praise: Kate Garraway has praised her Good Morning Britain co-host Ben Shephard for his ‘phenomenal’ friendship amid her husband Derek Draper’s coronavirus battle
It comes after the presenter said that she ‘feels sick’ at the thought of her first Christmas without her husband Derek.
According to the Mirror, Kate said of Ben’s support: ‘For 20 years, Ben’s had to do so much for me but this year’s been another level. He’s been trying to do everything he can to help – it’s been a huge pressure on him.
‘Working alongside somebody you’re worried about, plus also trying to do the job… it’s a huge thing. I’m aware how tough it’s been for him.’
Ben also sweetly praised Kate for her strength during Derek’s battle and said: ‘Her eternal positivity is something we can all look at. There’s not a moment where that admiration tarnishes.’
Support: The presenter, 53, said that the ITV star, 45, has been ‘trying to do everything he can to help’
Painful time: Derek has been in hospital since March after contracting Covid and is still too unwell to come home (pictured together in 2019)
Kate and Ben are set to host Good Morning Britain’s virtual 1 Million Minutes Awards ceremony as part of ITV’s mental wellness campaign Britain Get Talking.
The movement wants to end loneliness and asks people to pledge their time to stop aloneness becoming the ‘next pandemic’.
With Kate saying the ceremony, which is set to take place on December 17, will be more ‘more magnificent and uplifting’ than ever.
The remarkable mother-of-two has been putting on a brave face after admitting she ‘feels sick’ at the thought of her first Christmas without her husband Derek.
Presenting duo: Kate also noted that she is aware if ‘how tough’ it has been for Ben and that his support over the last year has been ‘another level’
Derek has been in hospital since March after contracting Covid and while there have been small improvements to his health, Kate has said he has a long road ahead.
As well as looking after children Darcey, 14, and Billy, 11, Kate has been busy with her Good Morning Britain and Smooth FM radio commitments.
The family are currently unable to visit Derek in hospital at the moment due to the coronavirus restrictions, but Kate has said nurses kindly allow her to FaceTime him.
The media personality previously admitted Derek had ‘a tough week,’ as she shared her uncertainty over whether her long-term partner could finally be discharged.
The co-hosts were discussing the possibility of more COVID-19 restrictions over the festive period.
She said that as Derek is still too ill to return home, and she’ll be facing her first Christmas alone since her eldest daughter Darcey was born.
‘I feel physically sick actually and can feel my chest tightening at the thought of it,’ Kate said.
‘I’m in total panic about the idea of me, Darcey and Billy on our own this Christmas unable to visit Derek because of potential restrictions.
Strength: Ben also sweetly praised Kate for her strength during Derek’s battle and said: ‘Her eternal positivity is something we can all look at. There’s not a moment where that admiration tarnishes.’
‘That huge emotional hole, and I don’t know how to fill it, without grandparents and without friends helping to fill it.
‘It feels like such a significant moment as all festivals are. I do feel in a panic about it, but we’re in this situation because of the spread of a disease that at the moment doesn’t have a cure.’
Derek was originally admitted to hospital with COVID-19 symptoms on March 30 and remains seriously ill.