Kate Garraway dazzled on the red carpet at The Grosvenor House Hotel on Monday, as she attended her first Pride Of Britain Awards since the death of her husband Derek Draper.
The Good Morning Britain presenter, 57, pulled out all the stops for the night in a sparkly gold double-breasted suit.
She beamed as she was joined by her fellow GMB stars Susanna Reid, Charlotte Hawkins, Ranvir Singh, Laura Tobin and Richard Madeley and expressed how wonderful it was to see the moving stories at the event.
But Kate admitted that the night held extra poignancy as it marked her first Pride of Britain since the loss of her husband this year.
Former political lobbyist Derek died in January at the age of 56 from COVID-19 complications, almost four years after he was taken ill with the respiratory virus.
Kate Garraway dazzled on the red carpet at The Grosvenor House Hotel on Monday, as she attended her first Pride Of Britain Awards since the death of her husband Derek Draper
The Good Morning Britain presenter, 57, pulled out all the stops for the night in a sparkly gold double-breasted suit
She beamed as she was joined by her fellow GMB stars Susanna Reid , Charlotte Hawkins , Ranvir Singh , Laura Tobin and Richard Madeley (pictured)
He was one of the country’s longest-suffering coronavirus patients and remained in hospital for more than a year, but never fully recovered after the virus left long-lasting damage to his organs.
Speaking to the Mirror on the red carpet, Kate said: ‘It’s always a hugely emotional night. You’re sometimes moved by the stories in a sad way but also by the courage.
‘I’ve been lucky enough to be invited POb throughout the journey of Derek being sick and this is the first one I’ve been to with him not with us and I think there will be an extra thing as he always loved it anyway as a ceremony and a show. It’s wonderful to see how people fight on.’
It comes just days after Kate got candid about her plans for her first Christmas without Derek, as she admitted it would be ‘difficult’.
However, the broadcaster said although the festive period will bring pain, she is also looking forward to shaping ‘new memories’ alongside her children Darcey, 18, and Billy, 15.
She told Woman & Home’s December issue: ‘This Christmas will be difficult, as all the firsts are, but I’ve said to the kids, “Let’s do what feels right, do some new things and make new memories.”
‘You’ve got to try and let things evolve into new memories, and I’m going to be led by them.’
The TV favourite went on recalling the recent Christmases before Derek’s tragic death – which were also quite ‘challenging’ due to his illness.
But Kate admitted that the night held extra poignancy as it marked her first Pride of Britain since the loss of her husband this year
Former political lobbyist Derek died in January at the age of 56 from COVID-19 complications, almost four years after he was taken ill with the respiratory virus (pictured with Kate in 2019)
She explained: ‘It will be our first Christmas without Derek, but to be honest, the last four or five Christmases have been challenging, although we’ve also had the joy of having Derek there with us.
‘I hope I won’t be blubbing all day, but I’m sure there will be emotional moments. However, I want it to be fun and happy for Darcey and Billy because it’s been a tough few years for them. Maybe they’ll think, “At least Dad’s out of pain”.
The annual Pride Of Britain Awards is returning for its 25th year, with Ashley Banjo and Carol Vorderman set to return as co-hosts.
Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks are on hand to host the red carpet, while GK Barry will be presenting online content at her very own bar during the event.
Taking place since 1999, the ceremony honours the achievements of truly remarkable people from across the UK and all walks of life – nominated by members of the public.
After a shortlist has been produced from the thousands of entries, winners are chosen by the Pride of Britain judging panel.
Ahead of the ceremony, The King and the Prime Minister Keir Starmer led tributes to the nation’s unsung heroes.
The King called them ‘the very best’ of us, while Sir Keir said, ‘They embody everything that is great about Britain’.
It comes just days after Kate got candid about her plans for her first Christmas without Derek, as she admitted it would be ‘difficult’, but that she is looking forward to shaping ‘new memories’ alongside her children Darcey, 18, and Billy, 15 (pictured together last month)
King Charles’ words were included in a letter to King’s Trust Young Achiever winner Molly Leonard, whose grandmother shed tears of pride as she read it to her.
In addition to praising Molly, he wrote: ‘On this 25th anniversary of the Pride of Britain Awards, I send my warmest admiration to all of this year’s winners. You each represent the very best in our society.’
The Prime Minister told the winners: ‘Britain is proud of you’.
‘For a quarter of a century, the Pride of Britain awards have celebrated the people who embody everything that is great about Britain. These are people from all walks of life, but they all have one thing in common. They’re heroes.
‘They may not be the cape-wearing superheroes we normally think of – in fact, they look just like the rest of us. But they do have something that makes them very special indeed. Bravery, determination, generosity, empathy and huge spirit.
‘They have the power to touch our hearts, to make us hopeful, to make us proud. They’re a testament to the incredible things people can achieve even in the face of hardship.’
Leave a Reply