Kate Garraway’s close friendship with broadcaster and journalist Liam Halligan continues to grow stronger, as the Good Morning Britain presenter showed her support for his latest charity endeavor. Garraway, 59, has been spending more time with Halligan since the tragic death of her husband, Derek Draper, in January 2024 due to complications from COVID-19.
Support for Charity Bike Ride
Halligan, a Sunday Telegraph columnist and former GB News business editor, recently embarked on a grueling 300km charity bike ride from London to Paris. Garraway was spotted posing with Halligan and his cycling partner Serge Kogan in a photo shared on social media, all wearing beaming smiles. The image, posted by Halligan on X (formerly Twitter), added fuel to rumors that the pair are dating.
“It’s today! London-to-Paris in 24 hours, 300km, on a tandem,” Halligan wrote, along with the photo of himself, Kogan, and Garraway. As the ride progressed, he continued to share updates: “Deep into Northern France now. Over 200km on the board – getting tired but the end is coming into view!”
Public Reactions
Garraway’s presence did not go unnoticed. X user “Rambo” jokingly asked whether she would be “following you on her trike,” while Harrison Chase suggested she accompany Halligan to France, calling it “a larf you’ll both remember in your retirement years.”
Relationship Status
Halligan, who is separated from his partner, journalist Lucy Ward, with whom he shares three children, has been candid about his connection with Garraway. Speaking to Mark Dolan on Talk TV, he described their relationship as being in its “early days.” He said: “I’ve known her for a long time, I knew Derek, I was a political commentator, of course, I knew him. In recent years, for different reasons, we have both become single, against our wishes… Kate and I are good friends, it’s early days, we’ll see what happens.”
He also mentioned that Garraway had come to see his band play, where pictures were taken of them together.
Garraway’s Loss and Tribute
Garraway married former political advisor and psychotherapist Derek Draper in 2005. The couple had two children: daughter Darcey, born in 2006, and son William, born in 2009. They planned to renew their wedding vows in 2020 but were forced to postpone when Draper fell ill with COVID-19, requiring round-the-clock care due to complications.
In January 2024, Garraway announced her husband’s death on Instagram, writing: “I’m sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away. Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed.” She thanked medical teams and supporters, adding: “Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life.”
Earlier this year, it was reported that Garraway had moved her wedding and engagement rings to her right hand in memory of Draper. A spokesperson told The Sun: “Since then [she] wears them on her right hand every day in memory of Derek.”
