GMB’S PIERS Morgan and Susanna Reid have sent their support to Kate Garrawat as she spends her first Christmas without husband Derek.
Kate’s husband Derek, 53, has spent more than 270 days in hospital recovering from COVID-19 in hospital.
Piers, 55, and Susanna, 50, hosted their first ever Christmas day show, and the GMB paid tribute to their colleague who has been devastated by her partner’s illness.
Former political lobbyist Derek, 53, was placed in an induced coma after being admitted to hospital in March with coronavirus.
Speaking about his colleague’s unwavering strength and bravery, Piers said on the show: “Of course, to all of those that have lost loved ones this year, or whose loved ones are seriously ill from the virus.
“We’re particularly thinking of our colleague Kate, of course, who won’t be with Derek this Christmas. It was always a special time, we know, for the family and our hearts go out to Kate and the kids today.
“It will be a very different Christmas for them, obviously and we continue to hope and pray that Derek comes through what’s been a tremendously difficult ordeal for him, obviously, and for his family.”
Derek is now the country’s longest-fighting Covid-19 patient after marking six months in hospital.
Kate agonisingly watched through FaceTime as Derek mouthed the word “pain” while doctors manipulated his body to prevent him seizing up.
It was his first word after 214 days in hospital.
Kate has spoken frequently about how much she and their children Darcey and Billy miss him.
The 53-year-old has been forced into being a single mum to Darcey, 14, and Billy, 11, while Derek battles back from his coronavirus coma.
Kate was this week given the award of Inspiration Of The Year at the HELLO! Star Women Awards following her bravery throughout her family’s tragedy.
Speaking at the virtual awards ceremony, the Good Morning Britain star said: “It has brought us closer but also they miss their dad, so I guess I’m trying to be mum and dad as well and obviously can’t be.
“It’s sad as well, so it’s making sure there’s enough laughter going on as well. That’s so important.
“You find yourself laughing at the silliest things and that’s kind of a release.”
She added: “I obviously hope that Derek can recover and come back to us, I mean that’s the big one.
“I hope that we can as a country fight our way out of this pandemic. We don’t give in to bitterness and anger.
“I hope we can keep that community spirit we had at the beginning where we were all clapping for carers.”
