TV presenter Peter Andre has paid tribute to his friend Kate Garraway following the death of her husband Derek Draper.

The Australian, who has worked with Kate on Good Morning Britain, said she’d regularly confide in him about how hard things were for Derek during his health battles.

Speaking on GBNews today, Peter, 49, said: “I know Kate very well. I think what’s so sad about this, is that we all feel like we’ve gone through these past few years with them both. “And of course this happened since COVID, and it’s been like the real story of COVID. It’s very, very sad.

“And you know, Kate’s just such a beautiful person – that this is heartbreaking. Her tenacity has just inspired us all. She never left his side.

“We had a lot of chats. Sometimes backstage on This Morning, sometimes on GMB. She would say how difficult things were. But she never ever really showed that to people. She just stayed strong, always smiling. In person she is exactly what she’s like as you see her on TV, such a kind nice person.

“Let’s not forget the kids either because, of course, they have gone through the process of seeing their dad go through this as well. Now Kate has to be mum as well. So she’s a wife, but she’s also a mum. And she’s got to try and be strong for them as well. She’s just an incredible lady. We send all of our love to Kate and the entire family. Our thoughts are with them all at the moment.”