Kate Garraway made a return to Good Morning Britain on Monday after being forced off the show last week. Viewers are used to seeing the presenter host the Thursday and Friday editions of the ITV news programme alongside Ben Shephard.
However, last week fans tuned in to see Ben hosting alongside Ranvir Singh one day and Charlotte Hawkins the other. Many will have assumed Kate, 54, was taking a break after stepping into the main hosting role over the Easter holidays in place of Susanna Reid.
But that wasn't the case as the TV star and Smooth Radio host took to Instagram over the weekend to share why she was absent from GMB last week.
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As the latest episode of her new Saturday show, Garraway's Good Stuff, aired on ITV, Kate shared a clip from the episode of her and guest Peter Andre bouncing on mini trampolines. She wrote to her followers: "So apologies for my absence from @gmb this last week - had to deal with some 'urgents' at home."
She carried on: "But before that managed to get a whole hour dollop of #garrawaysgoodstuff in the bag for you . Great #feelgood shares from @peterandre & @jamesbaymusic - plus this?! Note to self - wear a sports bra - note to @peterandre - wear a belt."
While Kate didn't elaborate on her issues at home, fans know that Kate helps care for her husband Derek Draper as well as look after their two children, 16-year-old Darcey and Billy, 12.
Fans rushed to the post to send the popular presenter their best wishes. @michelle_hewitson shared: "Hope all OK Kate. Lovely to meet you at the care awards last month."
"Do hope everything is ok," ruthandkathy said as @nettyray2020 commented: "@kategarraway I don't know how u do it Kate.....really are Wonderwoman. I hope the 'urgents' weren't too traumatic."
@donnathornton7922 replied: "Hope everything at home ok you are amazing," while @julieelderton added: "Hope you managed to sort out your 'urgents'. You are doing an amazing job."
Kate has been open about her family's struggle after Derek was struck down with coronavirus in March 2020. The virus 'wreaked havoc' on the former Labour lobbyist's body and he spent more than a year in hospital. Derek, also 54, returned home in April last year where he receives round-the-clock care.
The presenter was left overwhelmed last month when she came face-to-face with a nurse who helped care for her husband on Good Morning Britain. Kate and co-host Richard Bacon were joined in the studio by much-loved children's author Michael Rosen, who thought he was on the programme to chat about his new book and own battle with the virus.
Michael has previously appeared on the show to talk about how contracting coronavirus left him in intensive care for seven weeks. During that appearance, back in November, he also revealed that he had been cared for by the same doctors and nurses who had cared for Kate's husband.
But as Michael, 75, appeared on the show, ITV decided to surprise him with one of the nurses - Beth - who cared for him during his hospital stay. As they sat and chatted, Kate took the opportunity to ask Beth about her time caring for Michael on the same ward as Derek, soon discovering that the nurse played a part in her husband's recovery too.
"I have to ask, on a personal note, Derek, I think, was two beds away from Michael. So did you care for him?" Kate asked as Beth revealed she would have been looking after Derek too, leaving Kate very emotional. "Oh my god, that's amazing," the presenter replied as co-host Richard simply said: "Wow!" before Kate and Beth shared a hug.
