There was an emotional moment for Kate Garraway on Thursday night when her heart-wrenching documentary Finding Derek won a National Television Award, to a standing ovation from the O2 Arena crowd.
It was in March 2020 that Kate’s husband, former political aide Derek Draper was hospitalized with coronavirus.
After his condition took a severe turn for the worse, Derek was placed into a medically induced coma by doctors, with Kate and the couple’s children Billy and Darcy unable to see him due to lockdown restrictions.
Kate was told by medics that Derek had one of the most severe cases of Covid of any surviving patient and his struggle in hospital, as well as how Kate and family coped back at home were laid bare in ITV documentary Finding Derek.
READ MORE: National Television Awards 2021 results LIVE as they come in
Millions tuned in earlier this year to watch it and, from its tear-jerking opening moments to a heartbreaking FaceTime call between Kate and Derek, when he told her he couldn’t go on, it proved to be emotionally charged viewing.
And viewers voted to give Finding Derek victory in the Best Authored Documentary at this year’s NTAs, seeing off other shows by the likes of Roman Kemp and Katie Price.
Good Morning Britain host Kate was in attendance at London’s 02 Arena for the NTAs and was full of emotion as she took to the winners’ podium as those in the audience got out of their seats to applaud her.
She said: "I just want to say to all the Darcys, the Billys, the Dereks, the Dereks families out there - whatever you're going through and however you're affected, you're not forgotten.
"We want the joy back, we want it to be over; but if you're still living with the scars, the fight goes on.
"Derek should be here and get the chance to tell his story. Derek you're going to get the chance - believe!
Fellow nominee Kate made a love heart sign to the stage as she stood up next to son Harvey, with Phillip Schofield also visibly moved as he gave his ITV colleague a standing ovation.
See the latest news in your area by receiving email updates
