Kate Garraway Takes Break from ‘Good Morning Britain’ Amid New Family Heartache
Kate Garraway has taken a leave of absence from presenting “Good Morning Britain” this week after her father suffered a suspected stroke and heart attack. The popular host, who typically appears on the ITV breakfast show every Thursday and Friday, will not be in the studio this week. Ranvir Singh, announced as her replacement last week, will co-host the program with Richard Madeley and Robert Rinder.
An ITV spokesperson confirmed yesterday (July 30) that Kate, 57, will not be hosting GMB this week. A source told The Sun that Kate “is on pre-arranged leave” due to her father’s health emergency
Kate was filling in for Susanna Reid, who is on summer break when she had to rush to her father’s side upon hearing about his condition. She has since maintained a bedside vigil for her father, Gordon. A source told The Sun, “Very sadly, Kate’s father collapsed earlier this week while staying, along with her mum and her brother, in Cornwall.”
“It was incredibly frightening as he was found unconscious and immediately taken to hospital. It seems likely that he’s had a stroke and possibly a heart attack as well – doctors are still doing tests.”
The source later told OK! Magazine, “He remains in hospital and is currently stable, but understandably, it’s given the whole family a terrible scare and they are praying he can recover. Luckily, Kate is due to be off work for a few weeks anyway, so she can divide her time between the hospital and looking after Darcey and Billy.”
“After the horrible, heart-breaking year they have had, it’s so important to Kate that they try and have a normal summer break,” the source added. “It’s a very stressful time for the whole family, but as ever, Kate is doing her best to look after everyone.”
Earlier this year, Kate was devastated to share the news of her husband’s passing. Derek Draper lost a long-term battle with Covid-19 after contracting the virus in 2020. He had suffered from extreme complications related to the disease and passed away at 56 years old.
Kate has since revealed that the cost of his round-the-clock care left her in significant debt, candidly discussing her dire financial situation on multiple occasions.