Two years after Kate Garraway lost her husband, she is ‘close’ to his broadcaster friend

Kate Garraway is ‘smiling again’ after bonding with fellow broadcaster Liam Halligan, two years after her husband’s tragic death.

The Good Morning Britain presenter has struck up a close friendship with Mr Halligan, whom he has known for 20 years, the Daily Mail has revealed.

She was also a friend of Ms Garraway’s late husband, Derek Draper.

At the weekend the television presenter joined Mr Halligan in his hometown of Saffron Walden in Essex.

She was seen ‘chilling out’ with him at The Rail Arms pub, where he performed with his band The Hooligans.

This follows Ms Garraway’s recent appearance on BBC 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.

‘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.

Kate and her late husband Derek Draper

Kate photographed at the Pride of Britain Awards 2024

‘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 Ms Garraway, 58, to friends at the bar, where a source said: ‘Everyone was having a great time, there was lots of singing and dancing.’

Ms Garraway was also introduced to Mr Halligan’s neighbours.

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.

Mrs Garraway had looked after him at their home in north London; She still lives there with her 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.

Kate Garraway and her then-ex-husband Derek Draper appeared on ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’ in 2019. They are seen together on the set.

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

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

Ms Garraway said: ‘I don’t want to think of never having experienced romantic love again in my life. 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 Ms Garraway revealed she was not 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 Ms. Garraway’s circle is thrilled that she appears to be living on the bright side of life again.

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