Image source, Getty Images
- Author, James W Kelly & PA Media
- Role, BBC News
Kate Garraway has said she has had a response from a north London council after “post, bills, demands, threats of bailiffs” were sent to her late husband.
The presenter announced in January that former political lobbyist Derek Draper had died after a lengthy battle with the long-term effects of Covid.
However, the 56-year-old said she is still receiving “unsettling” post for him and has struggled to get through to Haringey Council for help.
Haringey Council has not responded to a BBC request for comment.
Garraway said on Good Morning Britain (GMB) that the council has since been in touch and “hopefully it will get resolved”.
Image source, X/ Kate Garraway
Earlier this week she tagged Haringey Council in a plea on X, formerly Twitter, asking them to “please help”.
Offering an update while hosting GMB on ITV, she said she was not attacking the council but that “it was borne out of utter frustration”.
“I don’t like putting things onto Twitter, but many good people, including Martin Lewis, say that often the people that monitor social media are more staffed than the people who have to answer phones,” she said.
“So it’s not really sending of the post, because you understand that there will be a period where the algorithm doesn’t work out someone’s passed away.”
‘Very frustrating’
Garraway said the issue of “bills, demands, threatens of bailiffs” being sent to her ill husband have been ongoing for “three or four years”.
“I’ve been paying those things, but I have a different name on some accounts, and not be able to get through to anyone to say this person has passed away, and I’m sure I’m not alone in that,” she said.
“I’m sure it’s a common experience and very frustrating, because you want to be able to sort things out.”
She said while some organisations have “bereavement people” to handle issues when someone has died, others, such as the council, appear not to.
“You’re having the same conversation again and again,” she added.
Since her original post on X, Haringey Council has asked her to message them with her details.
“It shouldn’t be because you’re on the telly and you tweet something that these things happen,” she added.
The final year of her husband’s life was documented in an ITV documentary titled Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story, which followed on from two other programmes about Draper’s battle with Covid and Garraway’s struggles navigating the care system.
She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in June 2023 for services to broadcasting, journalism and charity work.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
