KATE GARRAWAY CELEBRATES HER FIRST BIRTHDAY FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF HUSBAND DEREK DRAPER

Kate Garraway celebrated her first birthday with friends following the death of her beloved husband Derek Draper.

The Good Morning Britain presenter, who turned 57 on Saturday, May 4, admitted that she “felt so sad on the morning of her birthday, four months after Draper’s death.

Despite still mourning his passing, the ITV star shared on Instagram on Monday that she chose “celebrate life” with her “wonderful friends”

In a video posted on Monday, the broadcaster seemed in good spirits as she enjoyed a garden lunch with pals alongside her two children Darcey, 18, and Billy, 14.

The group were heard singing happy birthday to Garraway as she blew out candles on 12 cupcakes.

She wrote alongside the video: “Well yesterday was another one of those sad 1st’s - my first birthday  since Derek’s passing.

“Woke up feeling so sad & thought well I can either cry all day or celebrate life as he did so well. And thanks to wonderful friends it worked! 

“See you on tomorrow from 6 - happy bank holiday weekend everyone!”

After sharing the post, the TV star was inundated with messages of support from followers who applauded her strength.

One follower commented: “An inspirational woman, I hope you enjoyed your birthday, you deserve to have had a wonderful day!”

“Don’t ever feel guilty for having fun and enjoying life,” another penned. “When you have done such amazing job looking after your family.

“Happy belated birthday, he is looking down full of pride that’s my Kate that’s why that last candle was going so you made a wish for you and not anyone else.”A third added: “In so glad you celebrated - happy birthday lovely Kate! Know that you are amazing!”

Draper, a political lobbyist, died on January 3 aged 56 after suffering a heart attack just before Christmas almost four years after he first fell seriously ill with Covid.

He was plagued with health woes after contracting the virus in March 2020, and, despite needing 24 hour care, was advised he wasn't deemed sick enough to qualify for funded care.

In March, Garraway revealed how the £16,000 monthly cost of her husband's care was more than her salary from ITV, causing her to rack up huge debts.

Garraway previously chronicled the impact of caring for her husband in two other ITV documentaries - Finding Derek and Caring For Derek.

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2024-05-07T12:57:44Z dg43tfdfdgfd