honours backlash
Cruel trolls have sent me messages saying I don’t deserve an MBE, says Kate Garraway
KATE Garraway has told how cruel trolls have claimed she doesn't deserve her MBE.
The TV presenter is set to be awarded for her services to broadcasting, journalism and charity.
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It comes after she won the authored documentary prize at the National Television Awards for her hard-hitting documentary Finding Derek.
The programme charted her family's struggle to get her husband Derek Draper home from hospital after he became seriously ill with Covid-19 in March 2020.
Though Derek, a former political adviser, is now free of the virus, he has sustained long-lasting damage to his organs and his recovery is ongoing.
Kate, 54, appeared on Good Morning Britain today and revealed there had been backlash over the announcement of her MBE.
"I actually feel very awkward about it," she said.
"I don't know why because I'm thrilled to bits and incredibly honoured. You think 'why me?'"
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"There have been a few comments since it was announced from people saying 'why has she got one, I look after my husband and I haven't got one'.
"But it isn't for looking after Derek, it's for broadcasting and charity work. But you do feel like there are lots of other people who deserve it more."
Kate was defended by host Susanna Reid who said it was thoroughly deserved.
"I feel weirdly and surprisingly touched by it all," Kate admitted.
The TV presenter's fans were thrilled when wheelchair-bound Derek was pictured at the panto after his devastating battle with coronavirus.
But his first family outing since being hospitalised in March 2020 has left him suffering ever since.
Now Kate, 54, has admitted "we don't know what the New Year will bring" after the 54-year-old has once again faced time in and out of hospital.
Kate said: "He's doing alright. He is phenomenally fatigued at the moment and very weak.
"After the trip to the panto he was then not out of bed afterwards, but I thought it was worth it and I know he did too because it was a special moment to be there holding hands with the children doing something normal.
"But it took everything out of him. We don't know what the New Year will bring.
"He was there looking smiley and present. The speech isn't there, but you can see he's aware something special is happening and he's part of it.
"The morning of the panto I asked 'you're incredibly tired are you sure you still want to do this?' and he said 'yes, yes'."
Kate revealed someone working at the pantomime - where she took Derek for his first trip out with the family - was in tears about how much her documentary had helped her after her husband suffered a stroke.
She added: "Hopefully I have helped people highlight some of the problems ongoing.
"The aftermath of those people who have suffered from Covid or any other devastating disease and how you try to navigate your way forward as a family and through the system which is so complicated.
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"Reporting on people in social care system for 25 years, but until you're in it you don't know realise the emotional toll.
"It is very tough for a lot of people."
Derek is phenomenally fatigued and very weak, we don't know what the New Year will bring, admits Kate Garraway
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