Kate Garraway's Good Morning Britain colleagues, Ben Shephard and Charlotte Hawkins, have spoken out after the presenter cancelled her appearance on the ITV breakfast show after her husband Derek Draper's health took a turn for the worse.
MORE: Kate Garraway shares upsetting update on husband Derek Draper
Addressing Kate's absence on Thursday morning, Ben asked Charlotte: "We are missing a member of the team, aren't we?"
WATCH: Ben Shephard and Charlotte Hawkins send a message to Kate Garraway
The mother-of-one replied: "We are, yeah." Addressing viewers, Charlotte continued: "So Kate's taken some time out to be with Derek at the moment so we are sending lots of love. Lots of you have been in touch with messages of support, so we wish him well."
READ: Good Morning Britain's Kate Garraway has fans saying same thing after interview
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Ben then added: "Thanks very much for your messages of support, you know how much Kate appreciates all the support she gets, and fingers crossed Derek will be home as soon as possible."
© Photo: RexDerek has reportedly taken a turn for the worse in recent weeks
Kate is currently accompanying Derek in hospital amid reports he has taken a "serious turn for the worse".
A source close to the family told the Mirror that Derek is "seriously unwell", but noted that the family know that Derek is in the best possible hands and that Kate is doing everything she can for her husband.
A spokesperson for ITV confirmed: "Kate is taking some time off work over the next few days and is hoping to be back to her normal presenting duties as soon as possible."
© Photo: RexKate Garraway recently spoke out about Derek's return to hospital
It comes just a few short weeks after Kate confirmed that Derek had returned to hospital having previously received round-the-clock at-home care.
Speaking at the TRIC Awards, Kate told the Sun, stating: "He's been in hospital a couple of months now. He's been coming in and out. Hopefully he'll come out again. Hopefully tonight. I'm crossing my fingers."
The mother-of-two added: "I'm really tired but I take it day by day to level out the ups and downs."
