Kate Garraway marked her first birthday without her beloved husband Derek Draper on Saturday following his tragic d3@th in January. 

The Good Morning Britain presenter, who tuned 57 on May 4, lost her husband Derek, who was only 56, in January – four years after he contracted Covid.

Kate spent her last birthday opening her cards and reading them aloud to her COVID-stricken husband which was seen by fans in emotional scenes during her fly-on-the-wall documentary, Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story.

The journalist is now determined to create ‘wonderful new memories’ for her two children Darcey, 18, and Billy, 14, four months after their dad’s d3@th.

MailOnline takes a look inside Kate’s year of hell as she tries to put a brave face on things for the sake of her two children…

+25
View gallery

Kate Garraway marked her first birthday without her beloved husband Derek Draper on Saturday following his d3@thin January, (pictured at the Variety Club Awards on April 28)

+25
View gallery

The Good Morning Britain presenter, who tuned 57 on May 4, lost her husband Derek, who was only aged 56, in January – four years after he contracted Covid

+25
View gallery

The journalist is now determined to create ‘wonderful new memories’ for her two children Darcey, 18, and Billy, 14, four months after their dad’s d3@th

First time returning to work

On February 8, Kate returned to presenting duties on ITV’s Good Morning Britain  for the first time since the d3@thof her husband Derek, telling delighted viewers that ‘life has to start again’.

Kate bravely opened the show with long time colleague Ben Shephard who told her she had ‘done Derek proud’ with her conduct following his funeral.

Kate thanked Ben and admitted to feeling ‘wobbly’, after she last hosted the ITV show on December 8 last year when she was forced to take a break due to Derek’s deteriorating condition.

Speaking about her decision to return to the show, she affirmed that ‘life has to start again. I don’t know how it’s going to be. Grief isn’t containable in a day or year.

‘People ask why I’m going back to work. Life has to start. We have to pick ourselves up and go on.

+25
View gallery

On February 8, Kate returned to presenting duties on ITV’s Good Morning Britain for the first time since the d3@thof her husband Derek

+25
View gallery

Speaking about her decision to return to the show, she affirmed that ‘life has to start again. I don’t know how it’s going to be. Grief isn’t containable in a day or year’

‘That’s what Derek would want me to do. Thank you to everyone who made it possible. We have to pick ourselves up, that’s what Derek did and would want us to do.’

Kate said it was lovely, but ‘odd’ to be back at the desk.

‘The make-up girls had me in tears just by saying hello,’ Kate said at the beginning of the programme.

‘I feel like I’ve been in a very small bubble. So I’m looking forward to coming into the world and sharing what’s going on for everybody else and connecting with everybody again.

‘So, thank you for having me back, and have a little bit of patience. I might be a bit rusty… there is a new king, isn’t there? Have I caught up with that?’

First family holiday

+25
View gallery

Earlier this week, Kate admitted her first family holiday without Derek will be ‘challenging’ – the family pictured in 2019 following Kate’s I’m A celeb stint

Earlier this week, Kate admitted her first family holiday without Derek will be ‘challenging’.

Speaking to MailOnline at Variety Club Showbusiness Awards, the ITV star revealed her summer plans with children Darcey, 18, and Billy, 14.

It will be the family’s first summer without Derek and Kate said the holidays will be ‘different’ because their ‘family set up’ has changed.

She told MailOnline: ‘We will get a family holiday. But it’s going to be a bit challenging because it’s a different kind of family set up that we have now.’

‘But we will do something lovely.’

The couple’s daughter Darcey celebrated her 18th birthday

+25
View gallery

Kate rang in her daughter Darcey’s 18th birthday in March

+25
View gallery

The journalist pulled out all the stops for the fun-filled tea party with the help of friend Myleene Klass who organised it all for her

Kate rang in her daughter Darcey’s 18th birthday in March with the help from her friend Myleene Klass.

The journalist pulled out all the stops for the fun-filled tea party which came two months after Derek d3@th.

Kate admitted that Darcey ‘didn’t want a celebration’ so close to her father’s d3@th, choosing to ring in her birthday with a special family lunch at home.

In a clip shared to Instagram, they enjoyed a roast dinner, a two-tiered pink cake, in a room decorated with balloons and photos – including pictures of Derek.

Alongside the post, Kate wrote: ‘So yesterday our little baby Darcey got officially and legally big – 18!!!

‘She had said she didn’t want a celebration as it was too soon after her dad passing, but maybe a small family lunch at home.

‘I knew her dad would want the day to be marked and special though so I sent up a bat signal to Myleene Klass who rallied the most amazing gang of Warrior Women and Warrior Men.

‘Huge thanks for insane kindness goes to Meg @mysticalfairiesparties (including the most gorgeous brownies ever) , scrummy food from @MySupperHero.

‘A cake that took Darceys breath away @TamoTreats. And the best teen Instagram backdrop ever!! @EventsBySK.’

£800,000 carers debt

+25
View gallery

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

+25
View gallery

Kate disclosed that the cost of Derek’s basic care, without any additional therapy on top was nearly £4,000 a week

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

The presenter spoke during her documentary with the boss of a social care organisation about the staggering costs of basic care.

Kate disclosed that the cost of Derek’s basic care, without any additional therapy on top is nearly £4,000 a week.

In the documentary, she said: ‘How can I afford that? How can anyone afford £16,000 a month? Why is it that people who get sick, why does coming home feel like falling off a cliff?’

She added: ‘It shouldn’t be should it. Because the skill of a carer, the skill of that type of care is just a lifesaving and as brilliant as the work of a surgeon but yet we don’t respect it. we see it as a luxury.’

Kate – who roughly owes between £500,000 to £800,000 in debt – admitted that she’s always in ‘survival mode’, following Derek’s d3@th.

Speaking to The Times, Kate said: ‘Derek’s needs were clearly so great, yet he didn’t warrant funded care — so you think, “If he isn’t getting it, then who is?”

Braving her first red carpet appearance

+25
View gallery

Kate made her first red carpet appearance since her husband’s d3@th as she attended The Variety Club Showbusiness Awards last week

+25
View gallery

The mother-of-two put on a brave face as she posed with pal and former GMB colleague Ben Shephard at the star-studded event

Kate made her first red carpet appearance since her husband’s d3@th as she attended The Variety Club Showbusiness Awards last week.

The mother-of-two put on a brave face as she posed with pal and former GMB colleague Ben Shephard at the star-studded event.

Kate made her return to a big red carpet event for the awards where she received the Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting gong.

The star put on a chic display in a light yellow suit and sparkly halterneck silver top as she posed with Ben, 49.

Kate later took to Instagram and wrote: ‘Well this was a moment. My first red carpet event, following Derek’s passing – and WHAT an event.

‘I’ve been aware of the incredible work @variety does over its 75 years to help disabled & disadvantaged children & heard that it’s awards do’s are always the glitziest.

‘I was so pleased to have an invite to attend but then to actually WIN an award was an incredible honour – a silver heart for Outstanding Contribution to TV & Radio – I guess if you cling on long enough you eventually make a contribution!!!!!!

‘And then to be presented it by @benshephardofficial – so special. Congrats to all the winners’.

First Easter weekend without Derek

+25
View gallery

Kate revealed that she was spending her Easter Sunday differently this year as she shared a video thanking those who are working

She revealed the family normally enjoy a ‘mega family egg hunt’ but this year Kate was spending quality time with her two children while also working – Kate pictured with Derek

Kate revealed that she was spending her Easter Sunday differently this year as she shared a video thanking those who are working.

She revealed the family normally enjoy a ‘mega family egg hunt’ but this year Kate was spending quality time with her two children while also working.

In a message to her 1.2 million followers, she penned: ‘Happy Easter everyone! Usually we have a mega family egg hunt at my Aunty Lynne’s but this year I am actually working – although in a spectacular location & have brought the kids with me, so hard to call it work.

‘Very grateful to be able to have this time and sending love to all who are working today in less glamorous locations – keeping the wheels turning for the rest of us.

‘Hope you find some joy & new hope today & everyday xxx #hope. #newbeginnings. #love.’

Filming her first new project

+25
View gallery

Earlier this month, Kate revealed she has been filming for a new project , following the release of her documentary, Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story

Earlier this month, Kate revealed she has been filming for a new project, following the release of her documentary, Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story.

The programme aired last month as the final part of a trilogy of documentaries about the her late husband Derek Draper’s battle with Covid, after he died in January.

Kate took to her Instagram on Sunday to share a photo of a bouquet of gorgeous orchids on board her flight, while telling her fans that she had arrived home after flying to a mystery location.

The Good Morning Britain host explained she had just been busy shooting for a secret project, teasing that she couldn’t divulge any details until September.

Kate did confirm that the filming had included meeting several ‘inspirational people’ as she praised the airline staff.

She wrote: ‘Just landed back home after an amazing week filming – meeting some truly inspirational people ( can reveal all in September) .

‘Every flight that lands safely is a good flight by me! But this was exceptional. Despite storms internationally & delays the staff were calm & kind & managed to look as fresh as these flowers – even on landing. I am more resembling pot pouri but feel great!!!’

Being called a widow for the first time

+25
View gallery

Kate admitted in March that the first time someone called her a widow the words ‘took her breath away’

Kate admitted in March that the first time someone called her a widow the words ‘took her breath away’.

During GMB, Ben Shephard, thanked viewers for their ‘lovely messages’ to Kate and read out one.

It said: ‘Lovely to see you back, Kate, with Ben. As a widow myself, I know those wobbly feelings. Thank you for always thinking of others.’

The message prompted Kate to say: ‘The other day, somebody called me a widow for the first time – it took my breath away.

‘It was an Amazon delivery person who said “I’m so sorry for your loss now that you’re a widow” and you suddenly realise, and I suddenly realised, what everyone goes through.

‘That every single moment is something new and we’ve all just got to get through it and everybody has it with all sorts of things they’re facing.

‘I really get what people feel about these things.’ Garraway also thanked the viewers for their supportive messages.

Watching her documentary about Derek’s final year

+25
View gallery

The broadcaster discussed in March how it feels to have completed the documentary project, as she confessed it had been ‘pretty emotional’ working on it and she can’t believe that ‘Derek isn’t with her to ‘watch his story’

+25
View gallery

Kate spent her last birthday opening her birthday cards and reading them aloud to her husband which was seen in emotional scenes during her documentary, Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story

Kate was overwhelmed with emotion as she opened up about her documentary following Derek’s final year of life as he struggled with the long-lasting symptoms of coronavirus and required daily care.

The broadcaster discussed in March how it feels to have completed the project, as she confessed it had been ‘pretty emotional’ working on it.

Speaking with co-host Ed Balls on Good Morning Britain, Kate admitted she ‘can’t quite believe’ that Derek isn’t with her to ‘watch his story’.

‘It’s been pretty emotional actually. Makes you want to jump in the screen and give him a hug.

‘You can’t quite believe that he’s not with us to watch his story. But, hopefully, it will be very useful for others who that are going through the same thing. That’s the dream and the wish.’

After viewers watched a trailer for the programme earlier this week, Ed added: ‘It was very moving to hear him speak in [that] clip we played a couple of days ago. Because at the same time, there’s a fragility but also it is absolutely the Derek I’ve known for 30 years.’

Kate agreed as she continued: ‘You’re right, there’s fragility, vulnerability, obviously deep ill-health and damage, but yeah he was his own man until the end.’

She also explained that it was Derek’s decision to make the final documentary in the hope that it will bring a lot of help to people who are also suffering from long-term illness.

She explained: ‘It was his idea to make this and his story, so hopefully as I say, when it’s aired next Tuesday, it will bring a lot of help to a lot of people who are in the situation Derek’s in with long-term illness and those around them that care for them and the professional carers as well.’

Ed added: ‘I can’t imagine how hard it is to do this but I think it’s really important you’ve done it.’

Derek’s funeral

+25
View gallery

Derek was amongst the first in the UK to fall seriously ill with Covid-19 , being admitted into an intensive care unit as the country entered lockdown in March 2020

+25
View gallery

Kate and her children pictured outside the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Primrose Hill – where Kate married her partner in 2005 – to bid farewell to him

+25
View gallery

At his funeral, Sir Tony Blair, Sir Keir Starmer and Sir Elton John (pictured) were amongst those who gathered at the church

Derek was amongst the first in the UK to fall seriously ill with Covid-19, being admitted into an intensive care unit as the country entered lockdown in March 2020.

He was one of the country’s longest-suffering Covid patients after being in hospital but never fully recovered after the virus left long-lasting damage to his organs and meant he needed round-the-clock care.

Derek suffered a heart attack before Christmas and died on January 3.

At his funeral, Sir Tony Blair, Sir Keir Starmer and Sir Elton John were amongst those who gathered the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Primrose Hill – where Kate married her partner in 2005 – to bid farewell to the New Labour giant.

Journalist Robert Peston, talent manager Jonathan Shalit, former political editor of GMTV and ex-Labour MP Gloria De Piero and former Sky News political editor Adam Boulton also headed into the church.