Kate Garraway can’t wipe the smile off her face as Liam Halligan CONFIRMS they are ‘getting close’ – after the widow and broadcaster became single ‘against their wishes’

Kate Garraway couldn’t keep her smile off her face as she left Smooth Radio on Tuesday with a copy of the Daily Mail in her bag, after cozying up to broadcaster Liam Halligan.

The Good Morning Britain presenter, 58, She lost husband Derek two years ago and is now ‘getting closer’ to Liam, who confirmed their union on Mark Dolan’s Talk TV show on Tuesday morning.

Mark said he would ‘have to ask about her private life’ and asked ‘what’s going on’ with the ‘handsome’ economist, who admitted to being ‘good friends’ with Kate, and said: ‘It’s early days, let’s see what happens.’

During his chat, Liam said: ‘I’ve known him for a long time, I knew Derek, I was a political commentator, of course I knew him. In recent years, we have both been alone for different reasons, against our will…

‘So in recent weeks and months Kate and I have become good friends.’

The Good Morning Britain presenter is ‘getting closer’ to Liam, who confirmed their relationship on Mark Dolan’s Talk TV show on Tuesday morning

LIam said on Talk TV on Tuesday: ‘Kate and a lot of her friends came to see my band The Hooligans play in my hometown of Saffron Walden over the weekend’ (pictured during performance)

‘We were reintroduced. Kate and many of her friends came to see my band The Hooligans in concert in my hometown of Saffron Walden over the weekend. Apparently some of my neighbors were excited to have him at the bar and posted some photos.’

He continued: ‘Kate and I are good friends, it’s still early days, we’ll see what happens.’

Mark continued to wish them ‘happiness’ and said he was sure he would ‘wish the fifth’, meaning he would refuse to answer, so she was surprised at his bluntness.

Kate has formed a close relationship with Liam, whom she has known for over 20 years. She was also a friend of her late husband, Derek Draper.

Over the weekend the TV presenter joined Liam in his hometown of Saffron Walden in Essex. She was seen ‘chilling out’ with him at The Railway Arms pub, where he performed with his band The Hooligans.

This follows Kate’s recent appearance on BBC’s Celebrity Traitors; it was an experience she described as ‘transformative’ following the death of her husband.

One of her friends told the Daily Mail: ‘Kate has formed a close friendship with Liam and they really enjoy each other’s company.

Mark said he would ‘have to ask about his private life’ and asked ‘what’s going on’ with the ‘handsome’ economist. Mark, who admitted that he and Kate are “good friends”, said, “It’s still early, let’s see what happens.”

The Good Morning Britain presenter (58) could not hide his joy as he left the studio and got into the car waiting for him.

Kate Garraway circled with Liam at The Rail Arms. She was also a friend of her late husband, Derek Draper.

Kate said on Jamie Laing’s Good Company podcast that she’s ready to have romance again in her life following the tragic loss of her husband

‘They met through friends. Liam makes her laugh, he’s very funny, and they hang out with his close friends. Kate doesn’t know if this will go anywhere. Maybe it will happen, maybe it won’t, but the situation is complicated.

‘It has been very difficult for Kate since Derek died, she is a mother of two and they are all still grieving.

‘But they’ve known each other for 20 years. Liam knew Derek. They have so many mutual friends. It’s so nice to see Kate smiling again.’

Mr Halligan introduced Kate to his friends at the bar, where a source said: ‘Everyone was having a great time, there was lots of singing and dancing.’

Kate was also introduced to Mr. Halligan’s neighbors.

The source added: ‘Lots of neighbors have been talking about it after being introduced to Kate. She and Liam actually looked at each other and looked very happy. ‘She has been seen at Liam’s house many times in recent weeks.’

In January 2024, Mr Draper, the former political lobbyist and psychotherapist, died of a heart attack after becoming seriously ill with Covid in March 2020.

Kate stepped out wearing a houndstooth coat as she confirmed Liam’s union.

Kate looked after him at their home in north London, where he still lives with his children Darcey, 20, and Billie, 16.

Mr Halligan, 56, an award-winning journalist and single father, was previously economics and business editor at GB News and is now a columnist for The Sunday Telegraph.

He split from his partner, journalist Lucy Ward. They have a son and two daughters, Maeve and Ailis, who play with him in his band.

In December last year, Kate discussed dating possibilities following the tragic loss of her husband, whom she married in September 2005.

Speaking to Jamie Laing on the Great Company podcast, Kate revealed she’s ready to have romance in her life again. He also stated that he was looking for ‘single fathers’.

The star added elegance to her look with a pair of gold earrings

Kate said: ‘I don’t want to think of never having experienced romantic love in my life again.

‘I think that would be a pretty sad way to go about life, wouldn’t you say? But no, I’m not there yet. ‘I don’t know if anyone wants me.’

He then joked: ‘Talk to your friends, find out if any of their dads are single. This is your job, Jamie.’

But Kate revealed she wasn’t interested in using a dating app, adding: ‘I’m an old school kind of person where you live your life, do the things you love and meet people along the way. But maybe that won’t happen anymore.’

Now Kate’s circle is thrilled that she seems to be living on the bright side of life again.

A friend of Kate told the Daily Mail: ‘Kate has been through so much, she is so loved and we just want her to be happy. ‘We love seeing her smile.’