Kate Garraway has revealed she had an ‘out of body experience’ while accepting the gong for Derek’s Story at the NTAs last night as she returns to TV just hours after the award show ended.
The 57-year-old said the award was a ‘total tribute’ to her late husband as she received congratulations from colleagues Susanna Reid and Ed Balls on Good Morning Britain.
In an speech alongside her two children Darcey, 18, and Billy, 15, the night before the broadcaster had teared up on stage and called winning the award for best Authored Documentary ‘bittersweet’.
She revealed this morning she was left asking if she had ‘made any sense’ as she walked off the stage as the emotion of the moment got to her and her family, with the event itself taking place close to Kate’s 20th wedding anniversary with Derek.
There was little time to celebrate the victory or reminisce on the past though, with Kate arriving in the GMB studio this morning for her regular presenting duties with the NTA trophy in hand.
Kate Garraway said she had an ‘out of body experience’ at the National Television Awards last night
The 57-year-old had given an emotional speech with her children by her side on Wednesday as she accepted the best Authored Documentary gong for Derek’s Story at the NTAs 2024
Kate stands alongside her children Darcey, 18, and Billy, 15, after the awards show as she holds the trophy for best Authored Documentary
Susanna said: ‘Huge congratulations to you Kate, and such a wonderful speech. A total tribute to Derek.’
A smiling Kate responded: ‘A total tribute to Derek, it was his story, and to the production company who made it so beautifully for him and for all carers really.
‘I’m glad you said it was such a beautiful speech because it was such an out of body experience I came off stage [and said] “did I make any sense?!”
‘Because it’s such a strange moment and the children were lovely, so thank you.’
She added: ‘It’s for the carers, it’s for the people who are vulnerable who need the care and for the people who do the caring, the brilliant professional carers.’
Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story follows the last few months in the life of Derek Draper, Kate’s late husband.
Political lobbyist Derek died in January at the age of 56 after contracting Covid-19 in 2020 and never recovering.
Kate began her moving speech last night: ‘This is a bittersweet one isn’t it? It’s very bitter to be here, with the gorgeous Darcey and Billy.
‘I promised them they didn’t have to say anything. We’re halfway through the first year of firsts really.
‘A first Easter and first birthdays, without Derek. It’s so strange to be here for the first Television Awards without him.’
The Good Morning Britain host looked beautiful at the awards in a bedazzled tuxedo and her children Darcey, 18, and Billy, 15, wore complementing outfits
Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story follows the last few months in the life of Derek Draper, Kate’s late husband
Derek had previously been the star of documentaries Kate Garraway: Finding Derek (2021) and Kate Garraway: Caring For Derek (2022).
The NTAs come after Kate remembered Derek on Tuesday for their 20th wedding anniversary, telling fans she is ‘so lucky’ to have known his love.
She shared a video with her 1.3M Instagram followers explaining what the day meant to her.
She began: ‘Today would’ve been my 20th wedding anniversary to Derek.
‘I mean, it still is my 20th wedding anniversary to Derek, it’s just one of those days, that we’ve talked about, like Christmas to come, Easter. All of those things – his birthday – where you really feel a punch to the stomach.
This one, particularly, I’ve been feeling really sorry for myself, I’m afraid, because it’s such a personal thing.
‘The others are as much, when he was here, made about the family, friends, all of that, whereas this day is so particularly special to him and I (sic).
‘The fact that he’s not here makes me feel very sad and notice his absence like a roaring, roaring train.
‘I’ve been the leaning into the grief, as everyone says you have to, and I’ve been re-reading some of his lovely anniversary messages on previous cards which I feel so grateful to have had that kind of romance and love in my life. I’m so lucky.’
Political lobbyist Derek died in January at the age of 56 after contracting Covid-19 in 2020 and never recovering
Kate began her moving speech: ‘This is a bittersweet one isn’t it? It’s very bitter to be here, with the gorgeous Darcey and Billy
‘I promised them they didn’t have to say anything. We’re halfway through the first year of firsts really
‘A first Easter and first birthdays, without Derek. It’s so strange to be here for the first Television Awards without him’
The NTAs come after Kate remembered her Derek Draper on Tuesday for their 20th wedding anniversary, telling fans she is ‘so lucky’ to have known his love
Kate made the National Television Awards a family affair as she walked the red carpet with her children
On Tuesday, Kate shared a video with her 1.3M followers explaining what the day meant to her and encouraged them to vote for Derek’s Story
Earlier in September, Kate made an emotional plea to Good Morning Britain viewers and revealed the backlash she’s endured after Derek’s Story was released.
Kate confessed to Lorraine Kelly and her co-host Ed Balls: ‘I haven’t posted I’ve been nominated yet because I got so much backlash from doing it, for people saying “stop going on about it”. But actually, I realise I’m letting people down.
‘One of the biggest frustrations was that he felt like a total failure, he felt like an incredible burden on the carers, on the system, on us and it didn’t matter what we said, he felt that burden, and he wanted to be a contributor.’
She added: ‘It’s wonderful to have the chance to honour him and also honour the millions. I’m sad because I don’t have the chance to care anymore but I felt it would be wrong for me to sort of walk away from the caring campaign that I feel I have a responsibility for.’
Ant and Dec were awarded the Best Presenter honour for a record 23rd time as they led the big winners at the 2024 National Television Awards at London’s O2 Arena on Wednesday night.
While Ant and Dec continued their record-breaking winning streak, it was Mr Bates Vs The Post Office who were the big champions of the night, with three prizes.
Toby Jones was awarded the prize for Serial Drama Performance for his critically-acclaimed performance in the series.
In his speech, the actor offered his congratulations to the real-life Post Office campaigner Sir Alan Bates, after he tied the knot with his longtime partner Susanne on Richard Branson’s private island at the weekend.
Ant and Dec were awarded the Best Presenter honour for a record 23rd time as they led the big winners at the 2024 National Television Awards at London’s O2 Arena on Wednesday
He added: ‘This is an extraordinary project, brilliantly commissioned, directed with flare, and the best actors I could possibly hope to work with. I’m really honoured.’
Mr Bates vs The Post Office drew renewed public attention to the subpostmasters who were wrongly prosecuted during the Horizon IT scandal, and this was also recognised with the ceremony’s Impact Award later in the evening.
Despite a year plagued with scandals and controversy, Strictly Come Dancing scooped the prize for Talent Show at the National Television Awards on Wednesday night.
Amid fears for the show’s future over accusations of abuse aimed at professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, the BBC show beat out Britain’s Got Talent, The Great British Bake Off, Masterchef and The Voice to take one of the night’s big prizes.
The NTAs are voted for by the public, with the win for Strictly a clear sign that viewers are still rooting for the show as it prepares to return for its 20th series on Saturday night.
Mr Bates vs The Post Office was the other big winner of the night, scooping three prizes including Serial Drama Performance for star Toby Jones (pictured)
Despite a year plagued with scandals and controversy, Strictly Come Dancing scooped the prize for Talent Show
Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman were joined on stage by the show’s professional dancers and the creative team as they accepted the gong.
Elsewhere, This Morning suffered a shock loss, with the ITV1 show missing out on the coveted Daytime prize to fan-favourite The Chase.
It came after a challenging year for the show, which saw Holly Willoughby depart in October, before being replaced by Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard.
The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Awards was given to I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! for the fifth time.
Davina McCall fought back tears as she was awarded the Special Recognition Prize by her longtime friend Hannah Waddingham.
Davina McCall fought back tears as she was awarded the Special Recognition Prize by her longtime friend Hannah Waddingham
She said: ‘Thank you so much, this means so much. I can’t even begin to tell you, I don’t even know where to start.
‘I love my job, I feel so priviliged to be able to share it with you. You might like some of it, not all of it. I’ve presented some Turkeys, I know!’
The night was brought to a close with Emmerdale winning the prize for Serial Drama.
