Kate Garraway Grows Close to Husbands Broadcaster Friend

is 'smiling again' after growing close to fellow broadcaster Liam Halligan, two years after her husband tragically died.

The host has formed a close friendship with Mr Halligan, who she has known for 20 years, the Daily Mail can reveal.

He was also a friend of Ms Garraway's late spouse, Derek Draper.

At the weekend, the television presenter joined Mr Halligan in his home town of Saffron Walden in Essex.

She was seen 'getting cosy' with him at The Railway Arms pub - where he was performing with his band, The Hooligans.

It comes after Ms Garraway recently appeared on Celebrity Traitors - an experience she described as 'transformative' following her husband's death.

One of her friends told the Daily Mail: 'Kate has formed a close friendship with Liam and they really enjoy one another's company.

'They met through friends. Liam makes her laugh, he is very funny and they've been hanging out with their close circle of mates. Kate doesn't know if it will go anywhere. Maybe it will, maybe it won't, but it's complicated.

'It has been really tough for Kate since Derek died, and she is a mother to two children and they are all still grieving.

'But they have known one another for 20 years. Liam knew Derek. They have so many friends in common. It's lovely to see Kate smiling again.'

Mr Halligan introduced Ms Garraway, 58, to his friends at the pub where a source said: 'Everyone was having a great time, there was a lot of singing and dancing.'

Ms Garraway was also introduced to Mr Halligan's neighbours.

The source added: 'A lot of the neighbours are talking about it after being introduced to Kate. She and Liam looked really into each other and seemed very happy. She has been spotted quite a few times at Liam's home in recent weeks.'

In January 2024, former political lobbyist and psychotherapist Mr Draper died of a cardiac arrest after becoming seriously ill with Covid in March 2020.

Ms Garraway had cared for him at their north London home, where she still lives with their children Darcey, 20, and Billie, 16.

Award-winning journalist and single father Mr Halligan, 56, was previously economics and business editor at GB News and currently writes a column in The Sunday Telegraph.

He is separated from his partner, journalist Lucy Ward. They have a son and two daughters, Maeve and Ailis, who play with him in his band.