KATE Garraway has revealed the emotional moment that she told her husband Derek Draper about their National Television Awards win as she FaceTimed him from the ceremony.
The 54-year-old star broke down in tears last night when Finding Derek won the Authored Documentary category – beating stiff competition from the likes of Katie Price, Roman Kemp, and Marcus Rashford.
The documentary followed Derek’s gruelling battle with coronavirus, which he was hospitalised with in March 2020 before spending over a year in intensive care.
Taking to her Instagram page early this morning, the TV favourite shared a screenshot of Derek on a video call after she spoke to him via daughter Darcey’s mobile phone.
In the grab, Kate is clutching onto the gong, still at the glitzy bash – with Derek looking happy as he heard news of their victory.
Kate captioned the emotional post: “Wow. Thank you so so much. Have been in such an emotional daze all night I failed to get a single photo of me or the brilliant @flickerproductions team who made #findingderek @theofficalntas !!
“But maybe this is the photo you most wanted to see anyway – Me FaceTiming derek (via Darcey’s phone!) to tell him we had won! From him and from the bottom of our family’s hearts THANKYOU.
“For all who are struggling on and holding on to hope – this is for you. And to all the other wonderful nominations in the category – @marcusrashford @katieprice @romankemp @robburrowmndfundraiser_ proud to be among you and I salute your brilliance & bravery xxx”.
The Good Morning Britain presenter was visibly stunned when she was announced winner last night, and wiped away tears as she composed herself before giving her speech.
She told viewers: “Thank you so much for voting. I wonder if the reason you did because our story is your story.
“We’ve all been touched by the pandemic. Whether it’s livelihood, mental health, all the other extraordinary documentaries which have been highlighted and nominated tonight, they have also been affected by the pandemic.”
She added — referencing her two children and husband — “I want to say to all the other Darceys and Billys and Dereks — whatever you’re going through and however you are affected, you are not forgotten.
“We want the joy back. We want it to be over. But if you are still living with the scares. The fight goes on. But of course, most of all, Derek. Who should be here.
“Who should have the chance to tell his story, Derek, you are going to get the chance. Believe. The hope is real.”
Finding Derek was a moving account of his year in hospital as Kate continued working on GMB while caring for their two children.
Derek’s body was ravaged by the virus, with his kidneys failing, his liver and lungs damaged and his heart and pancreas malfunctioning.
Viewers saw Kate struggling to come to terms with the fact Derek, 54, is unlikely to be the same again after doctors told her he was the sickest man they had to treat in the past 12 months.
She received a standing ovation from a star-studded audience at London’s O2 Arena as she stepped up on stage to collect the gong.
Kate said: “It was hugely brave decision of ITV to commission this — they didn’t know what they were making, they didn’t know they were making a story about bereavement or about a triumph. In the end it ended up being something between the two.”
The star added backstage: “I wasn’t sure about coming, not because I’m not extraordinarily proud of it, but it felt a strange time to be leaving the family and I’ve been feeling very sad about Derek.
“On the way I met someone who had lost her husband and it’s for them. It’s everyone’s story.”
