Kate Garraway has revealed that Celebrity Traitors helped her to move on with the next chapter in her life.
The broadcaster’s husband Derek fought a brave four-year battle against Covid before tragically passing away aged 56 in January last year.
Kate has since been open about how she was left with debts between £500,000 and £800,000 after caring for her late husband.
Now, Kate – who is currently starring in the celebrity version of The Traitors – has spoken about how filming the show was a welcome distraction and gave her time think things through on her own.
Gracing the cover of Prima, Kate said: ‘The process was fun, intense and eye-opening. It was a rollercoaster.
‘It was also a wonderful time to do some thinking of my own. No phones, access to the internet or live TV were allowed, and my wonderful sister-in-law was with the kids.
Kate Garraway has revealed that Celebrity Traitors helped her to move on with the next chapter in her life
Now, Kate – who is currently starring in the celebrity version of The Traitors – has spoken about how filming the show was a welcome distraction and gave her time think things through on her own
‘So I could distract myself from the worries of the past few years and immerse myself in game play but also take stock and let my mind wander and dream about the next chapter of my life.’
Elsewhere in the chat, Kate spoke about how she and her kids Darcey, 19, and Billy, 16, keep Derek in the family.
She said: ‘As a family, we think about Derek and I think about him all the time. We’ve ended up with this strange conversation that takes place where Derek’s almost there.
‘So, if Darcey [their 19-year-old daughter] is asking to do something or suggesting something, I’ll say, “What do you reckon Dad would think about that?” And she’ll say, “Well, I think Dad would think this. But actually, I think he’s wrong because of this”.
‘I quite like that because it feels as though he’s still constantly involved, but also, she’s finding her own voice.’
She added: ‘As for my relationship with Derek as a wife, rather than within the family, I feel his voice is in my head a lot.
‘I’m very conscious of not letting him down, but I also know that he would be very proud of all of us.’
Gracing the Christmas cover of Prima, Kate looked glamorous as she donned an array of bright red looks.
The broadcaster’s husband Derek fought a brave four-year battle against Covid before tragically passing away aged 56 in January last year
Gracing the cover of Prima, Kate said: ‘The process was fun, intense and eye-opening. It was a rollercoaster’
Gracing the Christmas cover of Prima, Kate looked glamorous as she donned an array of bright red looks
One of her looks was a red bejewelled chiffon gown, which featured a plunging neckline, huge tulle skirt and sequin belt line.
In another look, Kate opted for a balloon satin high-waisted midi skirt paired with a sheer metallic blouse complete with a big bow.
Kate also verged away from red for her final looked in a silver and gold form-fitting sequin gown.
She paired the dress with a sheer cream shawl, featuring sequins and a feather lining.
It comes after Kate admitted she has ‘done a lot of crying’ in the last few years after Derek’s death and saw Celebrity Traitors as a chance to have fun.
Discussing her reasons for taking part in the upcoming series of Celebrity Traitors, Kate said she needed to take some time to have fun.
She said: ‘I’ve been through so many challenges over the last five years, I’ve faced a lot of actual life and death moments, and I’ve done a lot of crying over all that’s happened to our family. It’s all been so serious.
‘So, this feels like a chance to have fun and make a little mischief playing in what I genuinely believe is the best game on TV.’
In another look, Kate opted for a balloon satin high-waisted midi skirt paired with a sheer metallic blouse complete with a big bow
Kate has been open about how she was left with debts between £500,000 and £800,000 after caring for her late husband.
As well as tackling debts related to the £16,000 a month costs for his care, another liquidator’s report has revealed the large tax costs that are yet to be paid by Derek’s now-defunct psychotherapeutic company Astra Aspera.
The company, which was jointly controlled by Kate, went bust owing hundreds of thousands of pounds to creditors, including a large bill to HMRC.
Kate has been busy promoting her various work projects as her debts loom over her but it’s not the first time the broadcaster has had to deal with financial woes.
In 2012, two other firms jointly controlled by Derek and Kate went bust.
Fulfill Media Ltd had debts totalling £922,807, which included £88,486 owed to HMRC, £90,882 to trade creditors, and £462,808 in ‘third party loans’.
At the same time, Countrymouse Media Ltd, was liquidated owing £189,121, which included £98,944 to the taxman and £48,000 on an overdrawn directors loan account. Derek and Kate were both personally owed £24,000 each by the business.
The December 2025 issue of Prima is on sale from 29 October
