TV presenter Kate Garraway has been left reeling after a fresh financial blow revealed she’s facing a staggering £288,000 tax bill – just months after her husband Derek Draper’s death and amid an already overwhelming £800,000 debt.
Kate, 58, has spoken candidly in recent months about the crushing financial burden she endured while caring for Derek, who passed away in January 2024 following a four-year battle with long Covid. She previously revealed she had been paying £16,000 a month to cover his round-the-clock care.
Now, newly filed documents show that Derek’s former company, Astra Aspera, which Kate was also tied to, owes HMRC £288,054 in unpaid tax – down from a previously reported £716,000. While the reduction is a minor relief, the total amount still adds to Kate’s ongoing financial distress.
A representative for Kate said she was “shocked” by the new figures and insisted she “doesn’t recognise them.” The spokesperson added that Kate has been in constant contact with HMRC and “has met all that the liquidators of Derek’s company have asked for – and more.”
Kate’s financial struggle began long before Derek’s passing, as she had to take over full responsibility for his care, both emotionally and financially. Speaking earlier this year, she described the situation as “excessive un-payable debt,” and admitted she was ashamed to be in this position despite having a well-paid job.
In a heartfelt moment on Good Morning Britain, she confessed: “I’m not someone working for minimum wage. I have a well-paid job – and yet I couldn’t make it work.”
Fans and supporters have rallied around the GMB host, praising her strength and transparency as she navigates not only grief, but also a growing mountain of debt that would overwhelm almost anyone.
