Kate Garraway didn’t attempt to hide her elation on Wednesday, as she revealed she had signed a new two-year contract for her radio show, amid her financial woes.
The TV presenter, 57, took to her Instagram to share a video of her being surprised by her agent at the Smooth Radio studio, with a new deal to continue her 10am to 1pm slot for the next two years.
And Kate’s relief was evident, coming after she revealed that the cost of care of her late husband Derek Draper had left her with huge debts.
Former political lobbyist Derek died in January at the age of 56 from COVID-19 complications, almost four years after he was taken ill with the respiratory virus.
Following his death, Kate revealed she ended up in debts of between £500,000 and £800,000 while trying to fund her husband’s round-the-clock medical care.
While it was later revealed she also had been saddled with a £700,000 tax bill and was ordered by liquidators to pay £32,000 for closing Derek’s psychotherapy company, as well as 40 per cent of assets recovered.
The news that she could count on two more years of steady income from her Smooth Radio job therefore came as a welcome surprise this week.
Filming herself in the studio, Kate was surprised by her agent bringing her a new contract to sign from the radio station.
She was quick to ask: ‘How long for?’ and after he confirmed it would be two years, she couldn’t wipe the smile off her face.
The broadcaster joked: ‘You fools, you fools! That’s really, really good, where do I sign? Sign it quickly before they take it back.’
After inking her name, Kate beamed as she addressed her followers and said: ‘You’re stuck with me now for another two years, thank you for listening.’
Her fans were quick to congratulate her, taking to the comments to write: ‘So glad you have another 2 years at Smooth!! Thats so exciting and we will be listening as ever! xxx’.
‘Hi Kate 2 year contract on Smooth radio wow! You are my favourite presenter on Smooth radio and Good morning britain’.
‘merry “early” Christmas Kate congratulations on your new contract ❤️; Brilliant news for a wonderful lady. xx’
Radio is not her only source of income, with the mum-of-two most known for presenting ITV’s flagship breakfast show Good Morning Britain for nearly a decade.
However, she previously revealed that Derek’s £16,000-a-month care costs eclipsed her GMB salary, admitting last year she couldn’t even afford to have the heating on in October.
Speaking before her husband’s death, 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.’
In May this year, Kate candidly revealed she’s resorted to withdrawing money from her pension pot to pay the huge bills during a discussion about the NHS and private care on GMB.
Sharing the results of a survey that revealed one in five Brits are getting themselves into debt while funding private medical care, she admitted: ‘I am doing something similar myself.
‘I have had to withdraw the bit you can tax free from my pension to pay for belated bills for my husband, who has now passed away.
‘People are having to do things – it wasn’t a huge pension in the first place – which aren’t what they saved for.’
It comes after Kate got candid about her plans for her first Christmas without Derek, as she admitted it would be ‘difficult’.
However, she said although the festive period will bring pain, she is also looking forward to shaping ‘new memories’ alongside her children Darcey, 18, and Billy, 15.
She told Woman & Home’s December issue: ‘This Christmas will be difficult, as all the firsts are, but I’ve said to the kids, ‘Let’s do what feels right, do some new things and make new memories.’
‘You’ve got to try and let things evolve into new memories, and I’m going to be led by them.’
The TV favourite went on to recall the recent Christmases before Derek’s tragic death – which were also quite ‘challenging’ due to his illness.
She explained: ‘It will be our first Christmas without Derek, but to be honest, the last four or five Christmases have been challenging, although we’ve also had the joy of having Derek there with us.
‘I hope I won’t be blubbing all day, but I’m sure there will be emotional moments. However, I want it to be fun and happy for Darcey and Billy because it’s been a tough few years for them. Maybe they’ll think, “At least Dad’s out of pain”.’
