Some of ITV’s daytime television stars shared their favourite Mother’s Day memories
Good Morning Britain’s Kate Garraway shared the “special” gift that Derek got for her on her first Mother’s Day after she gave birth to her daughter Darcey, and how she dealt with her first Mother’s Day without him.
On January 5 2024, Kate announced that her husband had sadly passed away, four years after his battle with Covid began. The former lobbyist for Labour who then became a psychotherapist, fell ill with with the virus at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020.
Derek spent over a year in hospital as the virus “wreaked havoc” on his body, and then in April 2021 he returned home to Kate and their children while requiring around-the-clock care.
After his death, Kate appeared in her documentary Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story which followed his health battle and thus his passing.
The documentary went on to win an award for ‘Authored Documentary’ at the 2024 National Television Awards, Kate accepted the award on stage and said: “It’s so strange to be here – this one’s for you Derek, absolutely.”
ITV interviewed some of daytime TV’s most loved stars to ask them about their experience with Mother’s Day and some of their favourite memories.
Speaking to ITV, Kate recalled her first Mother’s Day as she said: “I remember my very first Mother’s Day. It was only a couple of weeks after I had given birth to Darcey in 2006 and I remember feeling so overwhelmingly lucky to be a mum.
“Even though I barely qualified as she was just 16 days old, Derek made a huge fuss of me with a little card from Darcey (obviously written by him!) saying ‘best mum in the world’. I spent it with my mum too and it was fantastic to see how happy it made her as well to be a granny. My mum and I have always been close but this was a wonderful new connection.”
When asked about her favourite gift, Kate replied: “I remember the first card Darcey made all by herself for me. It was a crayon squiggle which somehow ended up looking sort of like the letter D and a heart- if you squinted your eyes!!
“Derek immediately declared she was a genius as she was only2 years old. I still have that card in a frame on the wall alongside Bill’s first too. They are so special.”
Last year was the first Mother’s Day Kate spent without her husband, and she revealed that she “ended up cooking lunch for 30 odd friends and family including Derek’s mum and mine” as it coincided with her daughter’s 18th.
She continued: “It was extra special and poignant as it was only weeks since Derek had passed away. Luckily I called in some mummy friends like Myleene Klass to help as mum power really is the best!”
This Morning’s Alison Hammond reminisced on a hilarious gift she got her mum, as she said: “Mum was all about quality time, so we’d just spend the day together, chatting, laughing, and probably eating something delicious.
“One year, I got her this massive, over-the-top personalised dressing gown with ‘Queen’ embroidered on the back. I mean, she was the queen, so it was only right!”
Loose Women’s Linda Robson shared the advice her mum used to give: “Just to treat everyone how you want to be treated yourself. She was really funny in her old age. She was Irish and one of 13 kids with five girls in her family and she was a bit of a princess as well. We used to say ‘How can you be one of 13 and she still be a princess?’ She only liked Elnet hairspray, which is the most expensive and she only ever drank Diet Coke.
“I took her to Rome for her 60th Birthday, and there was a papal blessing and she got really emotional. She said ‘I never dreamed as a young girl growing up in Ireland that I would get to see the Pope!’ That was the best day of her life I think.”
Lastly, Lorraine Kelly revealed her plans for her daughter’s first Mother’s Day as she said: “This year my husband Steve and I will see Rosie and her Steve and Billie for a lovely lunch at home after they have celebrated as a family for Rosie’s first Mother’s Day. Nothing fancy, but it’s just good to all be together.”
Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women air weekdays from 06:00am till 13:30pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.
