GOOD Morning Britain host Kate Garraway has addressed the “backlash” over her documentary on her late husband Derek Draper – and why she’s now speaking out.
The ITV presenter, 57, opened up on being subject to the sickening trolling centred on show Derek’s Story, which documented his battle with Covid as well as shining a light on the essential work of carers.
Kate, who fought back tears live on GMB last week, opened up on the heart-wrenching documentary being nominated for a National Television Award later this year.
The broadcaster, whose spouse Derek died aged 56 in January, let slip her nod for the accolade in a chat with Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis, 52, who is nominated in another category.
It came after her co-host, Ed Balls, flagged the achievement.
Making reference to the reason she hasn’t mentioned it herself, Kate said: “I really hope people vote for it as well – it’s a different category from you Martin, so no competition there.”
She added: “I got such a lot of backlash for doing it [the documentary] from people going ‘stop going on about this.’
“But actually I realised I am letting people down for not mentioning it.”
Kate then flagged one of her fans Tim, who had approached her outside the Smooth Radio studios urging her “please don’t give up” as she shines the spotlight on unpaid carers.
The mum of two told how he added: “Please make sure people vote, because it helps us all.”
Derek tragically died in January after a brave four year battle with coronavirus and its life-changing complications.
The touching documentary detailed the months before his passing and aired earlier this year.
In the scenes, the former political lobbyist said: “My name’s Derek Draper.”
With his voice barely above a whisper, he continued: “I want you to hear my story.”
Sitting by his bedside, Kate said: “You’ve written ‘Covid changed everything’. Do you mean that for you?”
Derek simply said: “Yeah.”
It finished with Kate asking the fateful question: “Where’s this story going to end?”
Other episodes saw Derek’s sheer frustration as he branded himself “pathetic” for failing to gey out of his wheelchair.
Kate said her final farewell to late spouse Derek at his funeral in February.
Yet she has continued in her steadfast dedication to fly the flag for unpaid carers.
This comes as she battles her own financial difficulties of Derek’s care debts.
The ITV stalwart told how she was looking into withdrawing cash from her pension early to pay for the spiralling medical bills.
