JLS’s Oritsé Williams Commends Kate Garraway’s Children Darcey and Billy as he Shares his Experience as a Young Carer for his Disabled Mother at 12 Years Old

JLS star Oritsé Williams has praised Kate Garraway’s children Darcey, 17, and Billy, 11, for how they supported their ailing father Derek Draper before his death.

The Language singer, 37, appeared on Thursday’s episode of Good Morning Britain and praised Billy’s interaction with his ill father and said both he and Darcey, were ‘a credit’ to their mother Kate, 56.

Political lobbyist Derek died in January at the age of 56 after a battle with long Covid and a heart attack the previous month.

Oritsé is the Commonwealth Young Carers Ambassador having had experience caring for his mother Sonia, who suffers from multiple sclerosis. 

He was just 12 when he became the main caregiver to his mother, his younger sister Naomi, who was two at the time, and his brother Temisan, then 10.

Speaking on GMB, the star asked for more support for all young carers in the UK, recalling his own struggle looking after his mother as a child. 

Oritsé said: ‘[Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story] was powerful. I remember that part where Billy was sitting by Derek’s side and he was opening the birthday cards and he gave Derek this kiss on his shoulder.

‘I was almost literally in floods of tears because of the beauty of a child empowering their loved one in that way.

‘For Derek, I’m sure that meant everything. And so for the kids, Darcey and Billy, I just want to say Kate: they’re an absolute credit to you. They are incredible kids, complete inspiration.’

Speaking about children in their position nationwide, he said: ‘Young carers need more support, and also to be recognised for the incredible, incredible work that they do.

When asked what would have helped him while looking after his mum, Oritsé replied: ‘More understanding. When I was in school, I was tired all the time.

‘I couldn’t complete my homework on time, and it wasn’t because I was a bad kid, it was just that I was exhausted from my caring responsibilities. 

‘So, I feel like if adults showed more care and understanding to the individual circumstance that I was in, then I would have felt a lot more supported. And that’s something I feel like a lot of young carers can benefit from.’ 

Oritsé rose to fame as one-fourth of JLS in 2009 and previously revealed a big reason he became a pop star was to afford care for his mother.

Kate has been flooded with support following the release of Derek’s documentary.

On Tuesday, Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story aired on ITV, chronicling the last year of her husband’s life.

Filmed in May 2023, the episode, which has been praised by critics, confronted the reality of Derek’s struggles after getting Covid and the effect on those around him in never-before-seen images and footage.

Now, Kate has vowed to not let fans down after they shared their own experiences of caring with her. 

She also revealed that she ‘couldn’t speak for an hour’ after watching the documentary about her late husband Derek.

Speaking on Wednesday’s This Morning Kate reflected on seeing the episode and the reaction from viewers it has had.

She told hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard: ‘I couldn’t speak for about an hour afterwards. I was overwhelmed.’

Kate poignantly added of Derek while she watched: ‘The thing that jumped out at me was how well he was doing and the progress he had made. It was frustrating.’

She also touched on her financial woes in the This Morning interview as she vowed she will ‘absolutely’ pay off the debts she owes.

Kate has been incredibly open and honest about the £800,000 debt she has accumulated , for years of care provided for Derek.