Kate Garraway weighs dating after Derek Draper's death as finances face strain
The GMB presenter says she isn't ready to date again, while her media company faces losses and HMRC claims.
Kate Garraway has spoken about whether she would pursue dating again after the death of her husband Derek Draper, who died in January after a four-year battle with Covid. The 58-year-old broadcaster told The Sun that she is not sure she could date again at this stage, explaining that while she hopes to find love in time, she is still mentally rooted in the couple's home life from more than two decades together. She noted that she would not expect to meet someone in her living room and that she will have to consider the future at some point.
Two years nearly since Draper’s death, Garraway’s finances have drawn public scrutiny. Her media company, Praespero 100 Ltd, reported losses of 288,122 pounds in 2024, following losses of 165,011 pounds in 2023 and a 36,888-pound surplus in 2022. The business, of which Garraway is the sole director, is described as involved in radio broadcasting, television programming and related management consultancy activities. The Daily Mail reported that the company is currently in the red by hundreds of thousands of pounds, while Garraway previously faced roughly 800,000 pounds in debt tied to caring for her late husband.
The latest liquidator’s report also shows events around Astra Aspera Ltd, the psychotherapy firm co-founded by Draper that went bust with substantial creditor claims. The report indicates Garraway has been attempting to repay some of the debt she owes, and HMRC has reduced its tax demand. The directors’ loan account was overdrawn by 139,849 pounds, but the liquidator, Greenfield Recovery, with solicitors The Wilkes Partnership, reported that about 21,000 pounds had been received in this period. HMRC has submitted a new preferential claim of 288,054 pounds, a fraction of its prior 716,822-pound claim. Other creditor claims total 196,548 pounds from four firms, including a 50,000-pound bank loan. It appears there may be no payout for creditors.
In 2012, two other Kate and Derek-controlled companies were wound up by creditors: Fulfill Media Ltd, with debts totaling 922,807 pounds, including amounts owed to HMRC; and Countrymouse Media Ltd, liquidated with debts of 189,121 pounds. The two enterprises left Garraway and Draper personally owed about 24,000 pounds each.
The Daily Mail contacted Garraway’s representatives for comment.