Kate Garraway admitted being referred to as a widow for the first time “took her breath away” as she returned to host Good Morning Britain, less than a week after the funeral of her husband Derek Draper.
The 56-year-old TV presenter was back at work on Thursday to present the ITV breakfast show after taking a leave of absence following Draper’s death on January 3 aged 56.
During the show, Garraway said it was “lovely” to be back at the desk alongside co-host Ben Shephard but admitted feeling “wobbly”.
In the episode, Shephard thanked viewers for their “lovely messages” and read out one from a fellow widow which said: “Lovely to see you back Kate, with Ben.
“As a widow myself, I know those wobbly feelings. Thank you for always thinking of others.”
The message prompted Garraway to say: “The other day, somebody called me a widow for the first time – it took my breath away.
“It was an Amazon delivery person who said ‘I’m so sorry for your loss now that you’re a widow’ and you suddenly realise, and I suddenly realised, what everyone goes through.
“That every single moment is something new and we’ve all just got to get through it and everybody has it with all sorts of things they’re facing.
“I really get what people feel about these things.”
It comes after Garraway confessed that she was “in tears” before going on air after reuniting with the show’s make-up artists as she thanked the viewers for their supportive messages following his death.
“The make-up girls had me in tears this morning just by saying hello,” she said at the beginning of the programme.
Before adding: “Thank you to all of you at home as well, I know I mentioned it on Monday, but you have been incredible.”
Following her return, Garraway received an outpouring support from fans after she bravely opened the show telling viewers that “life has to start again” and “nothing has changed.”
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, viewers reacted to her return to work following Draper’s funeral last Friday, insisting the star has “shown incredible courage and strength”.
One penned: “It’s absolutely incredible to see Kate Garraway back on GMB after losing her beloved Derek Draper she has shown incredible courage and strength well done Kate we love you Rest in Peace Derek Draper.”
“Welcome back, what an extraordinary woman you are to be back at work,” another commented. “I’m guessing the team feels like family and that you are coming home.”
A third added: “Well done for getting stuck back in, you're looking awesome given the month you've had #gmb.”
“@benshepared So good to see you back with @kategarraway. You have gone through so much and I really admire you coming back. Love to you Kate, with your family, dealing with what you have to do in the time ahead,” another shared.
Morning! Lovely to have Kate back with us- thank you for all the messages we’ve had already. You’ll be pleased to know I’m already tidying up after her so things are getting back to normal 😜 pic.twitter.com/qg5yib1KBL
— Ben Shephard (@benshephard) February 8, 2024
Draper’s funeral service was held at the Church of St Mary The Virgin in Primrose Hill, north London, where the TV star and the former political lobbyist-turned-psychologist married.
It was attended by figures including former prime minister Sir Tony Blair, musician Sir Elton John and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
Draper fell seriously ill during the early part of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020 and spent 13 months in hospital before he was discharged.
He died after suffering long-lasting symptoms from coronavirus.
