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Kate Garraway: I didn't receive MBE for looking after Derek

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: Previously unissued photo dated 08/12/21 Kate Garraway giving a reading during the 'Royal Carols - Together At Christmas', a Christmas carol concert hosted by the duchess at Westminster Abbey in London, which will be broadcast on Christmas Eve on ITV.  on December 8, 2021 in London, England. Led by the duchess, and supported by The Royal Foundation, the service was attended by those Kate and William had spent time with during recent engagements, as well as members of the armed forces involved in Operation Pitting, young carers, faith leaders and those who may have been more vulnerable or isolated during the pandemic.(Photo by Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Kate Garraway received an MBE in the New Year's Honours list for services to journalism. (Getty)

Kate Garraway has pointed out that she has not received her MBE for looking after her husband Derek Draper.

The Good Morning Britain presenter - who has shared her husband’s long battle with the coronavirus in the documentary Finding Derek - was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to broadcasting, journalism and charity.

Garraway told GMB in her first interview since her Honour was announced: "It has strange feelings. There've been a few comments since it was announced from people saying 'Why has she got this? I look after my loved one.'

"You sort of feel like, ooh... I haven't got it for looking after Derek. It is for broadcasting and also for charity work. But there's lots of people that you feel deserve it more - so it's a strange feeling."

Read more: Kate Garraway says husband Derek Draper had health 'scare' over Christmas

The 54-year-old TV presenter rose to fame presenting GMTV, which she joined in 2000, and has continued to host morning television on ITV since.

In 2007 she competed in Strictly Come Dancing and in 2019 she came fourth on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

Draper, 54, is bedbound after contracting coronavirus in March 2020 and being left with significant brain injuries.

He returned to the family home in April 2021 and requires round-the-clock care.

LONDON - APRIL 03:  Kate Garraway and Derek Draper attend the Galaxy British Book Awards at Grosvenor House Hotel on April 3, 2009 in London, United Kingdom.  (Photo by Danny Martindale/Getty Images)
Kate Garraway's husband Derek Draper requires round-the-clock care after falling severely ill with COVID-19. (Getty Images)

Garraway revealed she and her children Darcey, 15, and Billy, 12, had been able to take Draper out to see a pantomime over Christmas, which had marked a significant milestone in his recovery.

She said: "He is phenomenally fatigued at the moment, very fatigued and very weak. And actually the trip to the pantomime, he was then not out of bed afterwards but we thought it was worth and I know he did too. Because he thought it was a special thing to be sitting there with the children, holding their hands, doing something normal. But it took everything out of him.

"We don't know what the year is going to bring. But he is looking smiley, present, his speech isn't there but he's aware that something special is happening and he's part of it.

Kate Garraway has charted husband Derek Draper's illness and care in a documentary and book. (ITV)
Kate Garraway has charted husband Derek Draper's illness and care in a documentary and book. (ITV)

Read more: Kate Garraway still hoping for 'a miracle' after husband's lengthy COVID battle

"That morning I said, 'You're very tired, do you want to do this? And he said, 'Yes! Yes!'"

Garraway had revealed that Draper suffered a health "scare" that could've seen him back in hospital over Christmas.

But fortunately, it was able to be resolved at home by his nurse and carer.

Watch: Kate Garraway read a poem about love at the royal Christmas carol service