LORRAINE Kelly says Kate Garraway's husband will "take a long, long time" to recover as she praised the presenter's "remarkable strength".
Yesterday The Sun revealed Kate's ITV colleagues were left terrified by Derek Draper's coronavirus battle.
"Kate has been extraordinary," said Lorraine in an exclusive interview.
"I have known her for years, I'm extremely fond of her she's a fantastic girl.
"I've never seen such strength of character, it's absolutely remarkable.
"It really brought it home to everyone at ITV, because it happened to someone so close to us and it's so catastrophic.
"But you know what he's back at home and we're all hoping and praying for him that he makes a recovery.
"It's going to be a long, long time, but he is getting the best of care and love in that house. It's inspirational really.
"Despite what she's gone through and continuing to go through, she comes to work and is an utter professional and gets on with it."
Kate hosts Good Morning Britain on Fridays alongside pal Ben Shephard.
She's often forced to grill politicians directly responsible over the country's protection against coronavirus.
Lorraine says Kate won't let her personal experience cloud her judgement, but instead uses her "forensic knowledge" of Covid-19 to ask the right questions.
"When she's speaking to politicians or experts, she's coming at it with such expertise now," said Lorraine.
"She knows this horrible disgusting disease inside out, unfortunately, so well.
"She's the ultimate professional and does it with forensic knowledge and kindness.
"It doesn't descend into a battle. She does it very quietly and determidly, and with all that knowledge she has basically destroys their argument."
Derek Draper spent more than a year in hospital, becoming Britain's longest-surviving coronavirus patient, before returning home in April after waking from his coma.
While Kate endured a desperate wait for his recovery, she also had to juggle life as a single mum out to work at GMB and Smooth Radio.
Lorraine also told how breakfast show host Susanna Reid has been a "rock" to Kate throughout.
Explaining how she and Kate's closest friends and colleagues have been supporting her, Lorraine added: "We see every week, we always check in to say how are things – text and call.
"She's got an amazing support system around her. She's got all her really close friends around her and then her colleagues who are at her back.
"Piers has been brilliant, Ben has been amazing. Susanna has been an absolute rock. I hope that has helped her."
Source: Read Full Article