Kate Garraway offers a wave as she reports for duty at Global Radio after defending Piers Morgan

Kate Garraway reported for duty at Global Radio studios on Friday, shortly after defending former Good Morning Britain co-host Piers Morgan following his abrupt departure from the show. 

The presenter, 53, greeted onlookers with a polite wave as she made her way into the studio on London‘s Leicester Square ahead of her mid-morning slot on Smooth Radio. 

Opting for a smart navy coat over kick-flare jeans and distinctive white boots, Kate caught the eye as she made her way inside with a small travel case in tow. 

In accordance with current health and safety guidelines the presenter wore a protective face covering while travelling from ITV studios to her second job in the heart of the city. 

The appearance comes just hours after Kate spoke up for beleaguered former colleague Piers, whose departure from the show following a successful six-year run was confirmed on Tuesday. 

The divisive host, who helped transform the once struggling breakfast show into a ratings juggernaut, quit his role following backlash over his negative response to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s explosive CBS interview. 

Appearing on Thursday’s Good Morning Britain alongside fellow host Ben Shephard, Kate credited old friend Piers for his support after her husband Derek Draper fell gravely ill with COVID-19. 

She said: ‘He is very passionate. He does fly kites and have debates but it always comes from a place of authenticity and he always believes in what he says.

‘He’s decided to quit and as he put it himself, fall on the sword of free speech. But as you rightly say, I’ve known him a long time, before he started working on this programme. 

‘Our friendship will go on, our personal friendship, and he’s been very supportive of me personally. But yeah, it’s a different show, isn’t it? But the show goes on.’ 

Piers made the decision to walk away from Good Morning Britain shortly after storming off set during a heated argument with weatherman Alex Beresford over his condemnation of Meghan.

ITV later confirmed he would not return to the show in an statement issued later that evening.  

‘Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain. ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing further to add,’ it read. 

The presenter’s reaction to Meghan and Harry’s interview with Oprah Winfrey on Monday morning’s show has received more than 41,000 complaints to TV regulator Ofcom. 

It’s understood that Meghan Markle also wrote to ITV’s boss to complain about Piers hours before the GMB co-host quit following an on-screen row with Alex Beresford. 

His departure from ITV’s breakfast show, which he helped transform into a ratings hit that beat its BBC rival for the first time this week, came amid the fallout from the extraordinary Oprah interview that has caused the Royal Family’s worst crisis since Edward VIII’s abdication in 1936.

Hours after it was broadcast Piers branded Meghan ‘Princess Pinocchio’ after the Duchess said she was suicidal while five months pregnant but was denied any help by the palace.

The presenter is understood to have been ordered to apologise – but he refused and quit instead saying he had the right to tell viewers his ‘honestly held opinions’ and declaring: ‘Freedom of speech is a hill I’m happy to die on’.