“Carry On” Legend Anita Harris Fights Back Tears on One-Year Anniversary of Husband’s Death in Tribute to GMB’s Kate Garraway’s Grief

“Carry On” legend Anita Harris fought back tears as she opened up on the one-year anniversary of her husband’s death and the “parallels” to Good Morning Britain host Kate Garraway’s grief.

Anita Harris, known for her roles in “Carry On Doctor” and “Carry on Follow That Camel,” gave a heartfelt interview on Thursday’s ITV show. During the interview, she shared her emotional journey and revealed that she had recorded a song in memory of her late husband, Mike Margolis.

Mike Margolis, a director, writer, and singer, passed away last May at the age of 84 after battling a long illness. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2015, Mike’s death came tragically just days after the couple celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary.

Anita, 82, was visibly emotional as she discussed her new track, “Never Lose Hope,” which she recorded in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society and as a tribute to Mike. Despite her own heartbreak, Anita empathetically addressed Kate Garraway’s grief, following the death of her husband Derek Draper in January.

Derek Draper, a former political lobbyist and father of two, died at the age of 56 after suffering a heart attack. His health had been severely impacted by long Covid. Anita sat alongside Kate, 57, on the Good Morning Britain sofa, offering her support and holding her hand. She expressed her deep appreciation for Kate, saying, “I can’t tell you how precious this is to see you. After having seen you going through everything.”

Kate responded with a heartfelt “Ohhhh,” before Anita continued, “Darling Ed, you are wonderful for all the viewers.” Turning to Kate, Anita added, “But for me, I was a bit parallel with you, darling.” Kate, touched by Anita’s words, replied, “Yes,” before declaring, “We are not going to cry! We are not going to cry, are we? Because we want hope.”

As the interview concluded, Anita again turned to Kate, saying warmly, “Sending everything good for you and your young ones.” Later, Anita shared how “singing to me is life” and described recording the track as a “comforting” way to process her grief. She recounted how she had supported Mike through both his cancer diagnosis and the early stages of Alzheimer’s.

“If anything comes from you and I talking about these things, it’s the sharing,” Anita said. “So many people are going through different challenges, and if we share, it’s out loud. It’s not something to be kept secret.”

Mike Margolis had also been Anita’s manager. A statement released upon his death last year read, “Early this morning Anita’s husband Mike Margolis died peacefully with Anita by his side. As a Life Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (LFRSA), creator of Catgrafıika and as creative director in advertising, Mike became Anita’s record producer (‘Just Loving You’) and her manager in the mid-1960s. They married in 1973 and last Sunday celebrated their Golden Wedding.”

Anita added on X, formerly Twitter, “Last Sunday we gently celebrated our golden wedding anniversary. Mike gifted me with a forever love… I will miss and love him always.”

Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper died on January 3 from complications of long Covid. He was one of the UK’s longest-suffering Covid patients, battling a range of health problems, including brain inflammation, kidney failure, and liver and pancreas damage. Kate paid her last respects at Derek’s funeral in February, where she made a touching tribute to her late husband.