Kate Garraway reveals how the kindness of friend Emma Willis helped her through dark times during Christmas 2020

Emma Willis helped support Kate Garraway as she struggled to buy food for her family

Kate Garraway book
(Image credit: Getty)

 Kate Garraway was supported by Emma Willis during Christmas time 2020 when she was unable to get to the shops to buy food. 

Kate Garraway’s husband Derek was hospitalised in March 2020 when he caught coronavirus. He is still currently in hospital and is being treated for various ailments caused by his diagnosis with COVID-19.

In an interview with The Times, Kate Garraway was interviewed by Decca Aitkenhead about how she has dealt with her husband’s hospitalisation. In the interview, Kate spoke about how presenter Emma Willis supported her when she was unable to get to the shops. 

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Kate was unable to go to the shops as she was isolating ahead of a Christmas hospital visit, she was also unable to book a delivery slot as the shops were fully booked. Fortunately, Emma Willis stepped in.

“They sent over a hamper of Christmas goodies. So we had this extraordinary situation where we didn’t have any bread but we had canapés. The kids would ask, ‘What’s for breakfast?’ ‘Canapés.’ ‘Can’t we have Rice Krispies?’ ‘No — we don’t have any. But you can have truffles!’ ” said Kate. 

She also revealed that her husband’s medical issues have taken a huge toll on her finances. Kate told The Times that she cannot access their joint bank or credit accounts, their joint savings, or refinance the mortgage. 

Derek did not give her the power of attorney before he fell ill so Kate also has no right to see his medical notes due to data protection. Kate revealed, “We had a whole conversation and Derek said we have to appoint power of attorney in case anything happens. He said I’d be his. And I’m sure I made some kind of joke, saying, ‘Well, you’re not being mine.’ And we were laughing and having all these sorts of jokes. So I know we’ve had that conversation. But it isn’t logged anywhere. Or if it is, I can’t find it.”

Derek Draper and Kate Garraway during the News at Ten party at the Radisson hotel

Kate Garraway and husband Derek Draper

(Image credit: Chris Bull / Alamy Stock Photo)

Kate also revealed the severity of her husband’s current condition and discussed fears Derek could be 'locked in' forever. “The very worst moment was when they said he could be locked in forever. And I just thought this is a horror story.” She continued to state, “I don’t know if he’ll ever have any kind of life again. We just don’t know.”

Derek has now been in the hospital for over a year because of Coronavirus. The virus has led to damage to his liver and pancreas, failure of both his kidney and heart. He also has holes in his lungs after he suffered from various different infections bacterial pneumonia.

Kate revealed that she has been surviving rather than living for the last year. "I’ve been in a continual survival mode Just thinking, let’s get through today. Let’s check the children are sane and fed and happy. Let’s see what the latest is with Derek. Let’s try to research what we can do about Derek. I have tried to sort of wake up from that and think about the future. But nobody can tell you what the future is,” she said.

A documentary crew has been following Derek’s condition since the Summer of 2020. ITV will show a one-off special titled, Kate Garraway: Finding Derek, this month on the 23rd March. Kate spoke of the documentary and told her interviewer, “The change in his body is shocking, You’re going to be shocked.”

The news comes just a few days after Kate Garraway spoke out after Piers Morgan’s Good Morning Britain departure following Meghan Markle comments.

Our thoughts are with Kate and her family...

Laura Harman

Laura is the Entertainment Editor for woman&home who primarily covers television, film, and celebrity news. Laura loves drinking and eating and can often be found trying to get reservations at London's trendiest restaurants. When she's not wining and dining, Laura can also be found travelling, baking, and hiking with her dog.