Kate Garraways Romance with Liam Halligan Heats Up

Last week, she was seen looking smitten with the man who has brought a smile to her face two years on from her husband's death.

And now Liam Halligan has told of the 'definite spark' he has with as their fledgling romance continues to heat up.

The British economist and journalist, 57, who has known the presenter, 59, for years, said the new couple have 'much in common' despite being from 'different parts of the media.'

They were seen giggling and cuddling up together last weekend as Kate supported him as he took part in the Duchenne Dash, an annual charity cycle ride to Paris.

Liam even said he was 'flabbergasted' to find himself the subject of showbiz news – using the same word that Kate was mocked by for using on Celebrity Traitors last year.

'As a sandwich-board man of the business pages, I'm flabbergasted to be in the showbiz sections,' he wrote in his Spectator column this week.

'Nobody wanted to know about my warnings of market meltdown but reporters now follow me around, asking: "How's it going with Kate?"

He said: 'Kate Garraway and I are from different parts of the media but have much in common – not least a shared sense of humour.

'Though it's early days, there's a definite spark between us.'

In reference to his recent bike ride, he joked: 'But can she ride a tandem?'

While Kate is yet to speak on the romance, Liam recently admitted the pair had become 'good friends' after both becoming 'single, against our wishes' in recent years.

Kate has been single since the death of her husband Derek Draper in January 2024, following his debilitating four-year long battle with covid.

'It's early days, we'll see what happens. I've known her for a long time. I knew Derek, I was a political commentator,' he said on Mark Dolan's Talk TV show last month.

'In recent years, for different reasons, we have both become single, against our wishes. So, in recent weeks and months, Kate and I have become good friends.'

Rumours of a romance first started when the pair were spotted together in Liam's hometown of Saffron Walden in Essex last month.

They were spotted looking cosy during a night out at The Railway Arms pub, during which father-of-three Halligan performed with his band.

'It's all very exciting and Kate is giddy. It is just so lovely for her friends and family to see. She will never stop loving Derek and is still grieving but she is finding a way to be happy,' a source told the Mail on Sunday.