Kate, 53, joined Alex Jones, 44, and Michael Ball, 58, on The One Show ahead of her documentary about Derek, 53, airing on ITV next week. The father-of-two has been in the hospital for almost a year after contracting coronavirus last March and he is one of the rarest cases of survival from the illness which has caused the death of thousands across the globe. Speaking on the BBC programme, the Good Morning Britain host explained her husband is still fighting the effects of COVID-19 and she is “desperately trying to hold on to him”.
Asked by the presenters how her husband was doing, the mother-of-two explained that after reading the headlines about the first few cases last year, she suddenly found herself “right in the middle of it”.
Kate went on to describe how she felt she was living in a “strange world” where she was only existing “minute by minute” as she waited for updates on her spouse from the hospital.
The broadcaster said although the number of deaths was “horrific”, there is another aspect of the pandemic which is even more heartbreaking.
“There is a whole group of people trapped in the middle ground where the damage is so great they aren’t sure if they can get their life back,” she said.
“It has affected people on a lot of levels. It’s greater than just live or dies,” she continued before going on to add that Derek was one of these people.
READ MORE: Kate Garraway seen in angry outburst ahead of Finding Derek doc
“He had a prolonged disorder of consciousness,” Kate added, stating that around Christmas time, he seemed to be making progress.
Although, his recovery is slow and that led Kate to admit she felt she was living this ordeal on a “lifeboat”.
Explaining her comments a little further, the presenter said it was as if she was bobbing along the water and “trying to hold on to him”.
The mother-of-two explained that was even more heartbreaking is he was a man who treated his brain like “his best friend”.
Taking to Twitter, viewers addressed the presenter’s latest update as one wrote: “Absolutely heartbreaking, but at the same time, you are an inspiration. Big virtual hug to you.”
Another posted: “What I like about Kate, she’s had it really tough but always acknowledges, so have other people, very generous attitude, seems like a genuinely nice lady.”
Whilst a third remarked: “Oh really wanted to listen to Kate longer. Felt like she got cut off. My prayers are with her.”
“Kate you are just a brave, inspiring, wonderful woman,” a fourth shared on the social media platform.
The broadcaster will be presenting Friday’s edition of Good Morning Britain after taking the hosting seat alongside Susanna Reid, 50, on Thursday’s show.
During a broadcast of the show in December, Kate got to thank some of the nurses who were looking after her husband in the hospital.
“It’s so great to talk to you because I didn’t realise you cared for Derek at Whittington when he was first taken in,” she told the guests.
“You saved his life. I’ve never spoken to you because we weren’t allowed to visit.
“It was a chaotic time, very often I wasn’t given information from direct carers so thank you so much.”
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV. The One Show airs weeknights at 7pm on BBC One.