Kate Garraway shares health concerns after 'stress of past few years' takes toll on health

By Christopher Sharp, News Reporter

Kate Garraway has spoken about the impact of the past four years on her health (Image: Getty)

TV presenter Kate Garraway has said she is concerned about her health after spending so many years caring for and worrying about the health of her husband Derek Draper.

Derek had been living with Long Covid for nearly four years when he died in January at the age of just 56 from Covid-19-related complications. Throughout that time he was looked after and cared for by Kate, 57, who campaigned for awareness of Long Covid.

Kate has continued to work hard in 2024 and has spoken in greater detail recently about the impact of the loss of Derek, a former political advisor, on her.

She told Woman & Home that she had spent the spring and summer trying to improve her health and said what she would miss about her potential life with Derek.

Kate Garraway at the Pride of Britain Awards (Image: Getty)

Kate said: “I’ve been trying to build my health back up for the last six months. The stress of the past four years has taken its toll on my body, and I know I need to look after myself better.

“I’ve been walking more and consciously trying to eat better. But really, I don’t do enough. I’m finally following a proper skincare routine and someone’s taught me face yoga exercises, so we’ll see if any of that works!"

On the impact of her Derek’s illness she said: "When people die and life-changing moments occur, you’re not just mourning the life you had at that moment you are also mourning the life you thought you were going to have.

“Derek’s illness was a complete shock and such an abrupt change. It makes me very sad to think that Derek and I won’t be pottering around together in our old age. I feel like I’ve been grieving the person that I lost the day Derek first went into the ambulance then again the one that left us in January.”

Kate has continued to make sure Derek is not forgotten since his death and ahead of this year’s Pride of Britain Awards she issued an emotional tribute to her late husband.

She told the Mirror: “It's always a hugely emotional night. You're sometimes moved by the stories in a sad way but also by the courage.

"I've been lucky enough to be invited POB throughout the journey of Derek being sick and this is the first one I've been to with him not with us and I think there will be an extra thing as he always loved it anyway as a ceremony and a show. It's wonderful to see how people fight on.”