Kate Garraway could finally process Derek Draper grief on Celebrity Traitors

Kate Garraway has opened up about coming to terms with her grief for her late husband Derek Draper during the filming of Celebrity Traitors. The Good Morning Britain presenter, who tragically lost Derek in January 2024 after a long illness stemming from COVID-19, found that participating in the show allowed her to finally confront her emotions.

She shared with Fabulous magazine how the isolation experienced while filming earlier this year let her grief "come out". She explained: "I'm a massive fan of the show, and I thought being completely cut off would be amazing – and it was. It was extraordinary, because you were completely engaged in the game.

"You couldn't think about anything else, as you didn't have your phone or access to the internet. You couldn't even watch TV, which was strange for a news junkie like me.

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"But there were also moments when you were completely on your own. Well, you weren't abandoned in some dungeon.

"You were cared for by the team. But it was the first time I wasn't having to think: 'Oh, I must pay this bill.' I was able to be in my own head, and it did allow quite a lot of grief to come out.

"Sometimes, when you weren't filming, you were escorted around by a producer.

"You weren't allowed to talk to them about the game, so you ended up talking about other things.

"On my birthday, she suggested I write down everything I want for the next chapter of my life, and talk about Derek.

"So I did, and then we burned it. It was quite hippy-dippy, but there was not a chance in hell I would have done that at home. When do I ever have three hours to do something like that?".

Kate found herself deeply "affected" by her stint on the show, admitting it took a while to return to her usual self.

Now, the 58-year-old celebrity is contemplating beginning grief counselling. She reflected: "It was such an incredible experience to have that chunk of time to myself.

"[Until recently] I've been in shock and focusing on the children and everything else. But I've realised I'm not allowing myself to process."

In March 2020, Kate's husband Derek contracted Covid and Kate had to become his full-time carer, as well as the family's primary earner. A few years later, Derek died. Since then, Kate focused on raising her two children, Darcey and Billy.

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