Denise Welch paid a 'proud' tribute to fellow ITV star Kate Garraway on Thursday's Loose Women, after the Good Morning Britain presenter's colleagues were left in tears at her MBE ceremony earlier this week.
Having been awarded the tremendous honour last year, Kate was presented with her MBE at a ceremony in Windsor Castle on Wednesday. Kate was surrounded my friends and family for the occasion, with the fact that her husband Derek Draper could be there, as he continues his recovery battle after coronavirus, meaning the world to the popular breakfast TV host. Kate, Derek and their family have been through the mill over the last three years, following Derek's life threatening bout of Covid, which saw him placed in a medically induced coma and forced to stay in hospital for over a year.
Having returned home in spring 2021, the former political aide has struggled with numerous health issues, but, having been in hospital just 48 hours earlier, he was well enough to celebrate wife Kate's special moment. A clip of Kate receiving her accolade from Prince William played out on Loose Women, with host Charlene White saying how "emotional" she got seeing Derek there with her.
READ MORE: Charlene White orders Loose Women star to 'get help' after accident
Equally moved, Denise responded: "Do you know? Honestly. I haven't seen her personally yet to congratulate her, it was only yesterday; but I saw her on telly this morning and Richard (Arnold) was saying they'd all gone along to the after party to support her. And all of the GMB team burst into tears when they saw Derek, because many of them hadn't seen him since he'd been so poorly. So to see him there, it was absolutely lovely."
Moving onto pay tribute to Kate, who got her MBE for services to broadcasting, journalism, and charity, Denise added: "Before Derek, she's done so much for charity, so I'm really proud of her."
Speaking about being awarded an MBE, Kate told ITV: "It's an incredible thing because I definitely don't feel I deserve it but it is something very special," she told ITV News. The whole event is very special, the Prince of Wales handles it beautifully. You're in with incredible people, who you hear the stories of."
*For all the latest TV and celeb news from Chronicle Live, sign up to our dedicated newsletter HERE.
