Kate Garraway cuts a cheery figure in a polka dot scarf as she arrives for work

It’s been a dramatic week for the stars of Good Morning Britain after host Piers Morgan sensationally quit. 

But Kate Garraway raised a smile as she arrived at Global Studios for her Smooth Radio show on Friday.

The presenter, 53, cut a cheery figure in a long red pea coat and polka dot scarf. 

She teamed the look with a Monsters Inc Red Nose Day T-shirt, bootleg jeans and white boots. 

Kate, whose husband Derek Draper is in intensive care nearly a year after contracting coronavirus wore a face mask as she headed into the building.

Also arriving at Global Studios was the presenter’s GMB co-host Charlotte Hawkins, who looked lovely in a cream coat and fitted midi dress.  

It comes 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. 

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’.