Commentator Katie Hopkins has been criticised for mocking presenter Kate Garraway following the death of her husband Derek Draper.
Draper died earlier this month after battling various Covid health complications for almost four years. He was 56.
It has been claimed that former political lobbyist Draper was one of the UK's longest-suffering COVID patients.
He spent 13 months in hospital after contracting the virus in March 2020 and, during that time, was placed in an induced coma for three months. He returned home in 2021 but required round the clock care.
In a video posted on social media, Hopkins mocked Good Morning Britain host Garraway by wrongly claiming ITV was set to air a documentary titled "Life after Derek".
She also said that Garraway would produce an accompanying book - another falsity presumably in reference to the documentaries and books Garraway has released about her husband's health in recent years.
The former Apprentice contestant, 48, laughed and said: "He's only been dead a week" as she swigged from a glass of wine.
She added: "8.30 tonight there's a documentary on the TV that you all need to watch, yeah, it's a Kate Garraway documentary, so it's important that I finish on time for you tonight," she said in the post on Saturday.
"And it's Kate Garraway: Life After Derek."
She laughed, before adding: "There's also a book she's releasing to go with the documentary… he's only been dead a week."
Social media users said the post was “disrespectful.”
One wrote: “I actually love 99% of your points most of the time tbf, and I get your point here. But a man has just lost his life and two kids have just lost there dad and the laughing is just a step to far in my opinion. Very disrespectful.”
Another added: “Your usually so funny but this is cruel.”
It comes following reports that Garraway is considering selling her £4 million home after being “wiped out financially” by caring for Draper.
The presenter had been the primary carer of the former lobbyist.
The couple, who married in 2005 and have two children Darcey, 17, and Billy, 14, had been living in North London but Garraway is under financial pressure after spending thousands a week on care, the Mail has reported.
“It is so sad for Kate,” a friend said. “Not only has she had to watch her beloved husband suffer for almost four years but her financial worries have never been far away from her thoughts.
“It has cost hundreds of thousands of pounds to look after Derek and do everything she could to get him better but it's left her struggling.”
Garraway, 56, has also paid for Draper to have experimental treatment in Mexico in a bid to help his condition. In addition, the couple closed their psychotherapy company Astra Aspera when it owed £184,000, including £125,000 in taxes.
Garraway said last year the past few years had been “tough” financially as she needed to pay greater overheads - but also take time off work.
The friend added: “The house is about all she has left financially and she is now facing up to the fact it might have to be sold.
“It's where she and Derek were so happy and also where her two children grew up – but bills are bills and they have to be paid. It's dreadful for Kate.”
