Kate Garraway has understandably kept a low profile since the tragic death of her husband, Derek Draper, at the age of 56 earlier this year.
The star opened up in a new interview, however, where she poignantly revealed that the last interaction she had with Derek was very positive.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, the mum-of-two revealed: "We were in a very different place, health-wise, from the year before — and it felt like the happiest place."
She went on: "We had more of Derek back. We always knew his injuries could take him, but it all felt so positive at that point, it was the furthest from my mind that anything could happen."
Derek was in a clinic in Mexico undergoing pioneering brain cell treatment for the disabling effects of Covid, which he contracted in March 2020.
© Ken McKay/ITV/ShutterstockThe couple spoke on the phone and discussed Derek's excitement about seeing some old friends once back in London, before Kate flew out to meet him. Tragically, though, when she landed, she discovered that her husband had almost died of a cardiac arrest.
Although the clinic was able to restart his heart, and Kate flew with him back to London, he never regained consciousness. Derek's funeral was held last month, and Kate returned to work a few days later, a move which she said helped take her mind off her situation.
© ShutterstockShe's now speaking out on behalf of unpaid carers like herself, revealing that she owes £800,000 for Derek's care and speaking about the lack of funded help. "It's supposed to be a system that’s meant to catch you if you fall," she told the paper.
"But actually, it feels like it's trying to catch you out… Derek's needs were clearly so great, yet he didn’t warrant funded care — so you think, 'If he isn't getting it, then who is?'"
© Ken McKay/ITV/ShutterstockIn a new film titled Kate Garraway: Derek's Story, which will air on Tuesday, 26 March, the presenter will share an intimate insight into how she supported Derek through his health battle – something her late husband really wanted people to understand.
Asked why he wanted to take part in this film, Kate recalled: "He said, 'Never give up fighting for what you believe in and for the people you love.' His words and speech were so limited and there were so many things he wanted to say about the struggle we were all having as a family."
© James Gourley/ITV/ShutterstockShe continued: "So we set out to make Derek's story together to highlight how he and our family are just one of millions who, every day, have to deal with the challenges of severe disability or life-threatening illness.
"And we wanted to celebrate the incredible work of carers, both professional and those who do it out of love." Kate added that the documentary is "a way of allowing Derek's voice to be heard," however, "finishing without him has been so hard".
© Alamy"I am delighted that the film is a tribute to Derek and his incredible spirit," remarked Kate. "It's also a tribute to all of those who fight on to make every second of life count, whatever is thrown at them."
