Kate Garraway has revealed that the costs of her husband Derek Draper’s care were more than her salary from ITV, and resulted in her racking up huge debts.
The Good Morning Britain presenter announced the death of her husband, the former political advisor, in January, following several years of health complications developed as a result of coronavirus.
In a new documentary telling the story of the final year of Derek’s life, the popular television host revealed the true cost of care, admitting the huge costs have left her in debt.
In the programme, Kate said: "Derek's care costs more than my salary from ITV and that is before you pay for a mortgage, before you pay any household bills, before you pay for anything for the kids, so we are at a crunch point.
"I am in debt. I can't earn enough money to cover my debt because I am managing Derek's care and I can't even use the money I do have to support Derek's recovery because it's going on the basics all the time."
She added: "I'm not going to pretend that I am poorly paid, I have an incredible job that I love, which is well-paid, but it's not enough."
Kate went into more detail on the matter with ITV’s Good Morning Britain, explaining: “I am ashamed of the fact I’m in debt. I have an incredible job that I love that’s very well paid.
“I’m not a carer travelling miles, paying their own transport to go and help somebody for minimum wage.
“I’m somebody that is very well paid and so I just feel a shame that I couldn’t make it work.”
The final year of Draper’s life is documented in a new programme, in which he speaks on camera for the first time, saying: “I want you to hear my story.”
The documentary shows the couple in their daily life, including a scene of him undergoing mobility therapy, and wailing and branding himself “pathetic” as he struggles to stand up to grab a walking frame.
In the documentary Garraway also details how Draper’s health struggles and her role as his carer affected their relationship.
She says: “I have accepted that (my future as a carer) but how that translates into the relationship is a work in progress.
“Sometimes you show love with a big bunch of flowers, sometimes it’s bringing a cup of tea at the right moment, and he can’t do any of those things for me.
“So he’s trying to work out how to love me – I know he loves me but how does he show that? And I’m trying to work out if I feel loved by him. I know I am loved, so we have got a whole journey to go on there.”
Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story is available to watch on ITV1, ITVX and STV.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here