Kate Garraway’s children saw their father Derek Draper over Christmas for the first time since he was hospitalised with coronavirus last March.
The Good Morning Britain presenter told of how her and her kids Darcey, 14, and 11-year-old Billy were able to visit her husband in what she described as an “amazing” moment.
However, Kate also said it was “very heightened with emotion, because he’s very changed”.
Speaking upon her return to Good Morning Britain on Thursday following her Christmas break, Kate said of the festive period: “It was tough. I knew it was going to be tough.
“There was a lovely moment which we did have. We did get to see Derek and the children did, which is the first time they’ve been able to do that. So that was amazing.
“It was very heightened with emotion, because he’s very changed.
“So all the routines that we’d normally do, it was one of those moments that it was so wonderful but also it amplified how sad everything was. And how different it is.
“But it was still fantastic, and we’re very grateful to have had that opportunity.”
However, Kate said that she is now not able to visit Derek due to the third national lockdown in England.
She said: “We’re into lockdown so no visits at all, which I hope doesn’t continue for the whole of lockdown, because I think that will be very impactful on Derek’s state.”
Kate had previously admitted she felt “physically sick” and “in a total panic” about the prospect of spending her first Christmas without 53-year-old Derek.
Before the New Year, Kate had revealed she’d faced a “calamitous few days” in the lead-up to Christmas after flooding caused damage at her family home.
She also thanked fellow presenter Emma Willis, who made sure Kate had Christmas food for her family over the festive period.
Derek was placed in an induced coma after being admitted to intensive care with coronavirus in March.
Throughout her husband’s time in hospital, Kate has candidly shared updates about his condition, as well as urging the public to take the Covid-19 pandemic seriously and follow guidelines.
In October, Kate confirmed the former lobbyist and political adviser was able to breathe without a ventilator and had mouthed his first word.
Good Morning Britain airs every weekday from 6am.
