Kate became overcome with emotion while accepting the award on stage

KATE Garraway broke down in tears live on TV as she dedicated her National Television Award to her late husband Derek Draper tonight.

Presenter Kate, 57, became overcome with emotion after winning in the Authored Documentary category for her ITV documentary, Derek’s Story.

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Kate Garraway broke down in tears as she dedicated her NTA to Derek Draper tonightCredit: Getty

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Derek, aged 56, died in January from Covid and related complicationsCredit: Rex
Joined by her children Darcey, 17, and Billy, 11, and the programme’s crew on stage, she said: “I really genuinely did not expect this, goodness me.

“This is a bittersweet one isn’t it? It’s very bitter to be here, with the gorgeous Darcey and Billy.

“I promised them they didn’t have to say anything. We’re halfway through the first year of firsts really.

“A first Easter and first birthdays, without Derek. It’s so strange to be here for the first Television Awards without him.”

The Good Morning Britain anchor, whose spouse Derek died aged 56 in January, recently revealed the heartbreaking “backlash” she endured over the documentary.

The ITV star opened up on being subject to the sickening trolling centred on the show, which documented his battle with Covid as well as shining a light on the essential work of carers.

Kate opened up on the heart-wrenching documentary being nominated for an NTA this year.

She said on the morning programme: “I really hope people vote for it as well – it’s a different category from you Martin, so no competition there.”

She added: “I got such a lot of backlash for doing it [the documentary] from people going ‘stop going on about this.’

“But actually I realised I am letting people down for not mentioning it.”

Kate then flagged one of her fans Tim, who had approached her outside the Smooth Radio studios urging her “please don’t give up” as she shines the spotlight on unpaid carers.

The mum of two told how he added: “Please make sure people vote, because it helps us all.”

Derek tragically died in January after a brave four year battle with coronavirus and its life-changing complications.

The touching documentary detailed the months before his passing and aired earlier this year.

In the scenes, the former political lobbyist said: “My name’s Derek Draper.”

With his voice barely above a whisper, he continued: “I want you to hear my story.”

Sitting by his bedside, Kate said: “You’ve written ‘Covid changed everything’. Do you mean that for you?”

Derek simply said: “Yeah.”

It finished with Kate asking the fateful question: “Where’s this story going to end?”

NTAs was no big surprise, says our telly expert

COMMENT BY ROD MCPHEE

THE only surprise at tonight’s National Television Awards was that there were virtually no surprises.

Ant and Dec took home Presenter Award for the millionth time, Strictly bagged the Talent Show gong and I’m A Celebrity triumphed in the Entertainment category.

Kate Garraway scooping the authored documentary award for Derek’s Story was entirely deserved, but not a total shock either as she’d already done the same two years ago with Caring for Derek.

There were a few curveballs. Emmerdale beating Goliath soaps EastEnders and Corrie was unexpected, particularly as the rivals have both boasted big storylines recently.

And though there was no doubting how hugely moving Mr BatesVs The Post Office was for viewers this year, it was still stunning to see them bag three awards.

Does the general lack of surprises diminish the thrill of the NTAs? Not at all. It remains one of the few awards shows which actually gauges what the majority of Brits are actually watching.

We live in a bewildering world where scandals often rock shows, in an age where streaming means the shared experience is diminished and ratings are hard to decipher.

But year in, year out NTA voters leave us in no doubt which shows they adore, which ones they’ve fallen out of love with, and which celebrities they’re prepared to back.

Look at how quickly relatively new shows like The Traitors, Bridgerton and The 1% Club have been embraced by NTA voters.

They aren’t interested in PR stunts and promotion, in highbrow actors and writers lauded by their fellow luvvies and they certainly can’t stand having what they ought to be watching dictated to them

They tell us all loud and clear, every year, who they consider to be the best – and woe betide any telly exec who ignores them.

Other episodes saw Derek’s sheer frustration as he branded himself “pathetic” for failing to gey out of his wheelchair.

Kate said her final farewell to late spouse Derek at his funeral in February.

Yet she has continued in her steadfast dedication to fly the flag for unpaid carers.

This comes as she battles her own financial difficulties of Derek’s care debts.

The ITV stalwart told how she was looking into withdrawing cash from her pension early to pay for the spiralling medical bills.

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She was joined by her children and the programme’s crew on stageCredit: Getty

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Kate recorded show Derek’s Story for ITV in the months before his deathCredit: ITV

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The hugely emotional show saw Kate shine the spotlight on carersCredit: PA