On Friday’s instalment of Good Morning Britain, hosts Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard were speaking to Larry Lamb and Claire Collins surrounding Marie Curie’s upcoming Day of Reflection. During their interview, the ITV host touched on the stages of grief.
Kate commented: “I got a bit of flack on social media yesterday of laughing with you as though that would imply I didn’t care. But, when you’re laughing, you’re laughing because you want the joy that that person brought to continue all around.
“People watching at home have got troubles in their life and you want to share that joy with them. So it’s a licence to laugh and to cry and to be all of these things.”
Kate returned to the Good Morning Britain studio on Thursday morning for the first time since December last year. The 56-year-old was absent for nearly two months following her husband Derek Draper’s health.
Sadly, she announced in January Derek had died after battling long Covid for four and a half years and suffering a cardiac arrest. Last Friday, a funeral was held for her husband at the Church of St Mary The Virgin in Primrose Hill, the same place they got married back in 2005.
As Kate made her return, she confessed to Ben that although it was nice to be back at work, it felt odd.
She said: “I feel very weird, the make-up girls had me in tears this morning just by saying, ‘Hello’. I’ve got some lovely hugs from everybody already.
“Nobody hug me, nobody be nice to me! That’s what I say. Thank you to all of you at home as well, I know I mentioned it Monday but you have been incredible.”
Kate confessed that she wants people to treat her normally, although nobody knows how to anymore.
Speaking to Claire and Larry on Friday morning, she wanted to get advice for family and friends of those who have lost a loved one.
She asked: “I’m also trying to help my children and one of the things they’ve said is that people don’t know what to say to them.
“They want to help their friends and other people feel comfortable to still have a relationship with them.
“What advice do you give to people who know others who have lost,. I mean Ben is in that situation with me, you’re brilliant at it, but Ben wants to know how to support me.”
Claire told the hosts that talking about grief is extremely important and although people may be scared of saying the wrong thing, the worst thing is to say nothing at all.
Despite the backlash, Kate admitted she received, a large majority of people were thrilled to see her back on their screens.
@JamesKwandoh tweeted: “What a strong woman She is. Welcome back Kate.”
@Tinacoomer1 added: “Welcome back Kate lovely to see you. Ben will look after you fantastic again to see you.”
With @NdutaMartha commenting: “Welcome back @kategarraway !!! [sic]. We have really missed you!”
Good Morning Britain continues weekdays on ITV from 6am.