Kate Garraway and Maureen Lipman shared a touching moment on Wednesday's episode of Good Morning Britain, as the actress opened up about finding love later in life after losing her husband. The 59-year-old TV presenter, co-hosting with Ed Balls, welcomed the 79-year-old Coronation Street star, who discussed her marriage to David Turner last September.
Maureen Lipman's Love Story
Maureen, who was married to playwright Jack Rosenthal from 1974 until his death in 2004, married David Turner, 80, last year. David had lost his wife to Alzheimer's and had been widowed for three years. The actress revealed she proposed to David on a train during Tu B'Av, a Jewish celebration where women propose to men. She said: 'We were on a train, I'd been with David for a year or so. He told me this fact, he's quite erudite about his faith. Just for a joke, I just slid under the table and said, "Will you marry me?" He said: "Are you serious?" and I said, "Oh, I don't know". Then of course you had to get me out with a warm spoon.'
Encouragement for Kate
Reflecting on Maureen's journey, Kate remarked: 'It's a wonderful story of love at a later stage in life.' Maureen quickly responded: 'It can happen to you. It can and it is very wonderful. I don't want to be smug because I would wish it for everybody on Earth but you know - nice man, wonderful family and nothing stays the same. You have to be prepared for change.'
Kate lost her husband Derek Draper in January 2024 after a four-year battle with severe complications from Covid-19. She has since grown close to fellow broadcaster Liam Halligan, a friend of 20 years who also knew Derek. A friend told the Daily Mail: 'Kate has formed a close friendship with Liam and they really enjoy one another's company. They met through friends. Liam makes her laugh, he is very funny and they've been hanging out with their close circle of mates. Kate doesn't know if it will go anywhere. Maybe it will, maybe it won't, but it's complicated. It has been really tough for Kate since Derek died, and she is a mother to two children and they are all still grieving. But they have known one another for 20 years. Liam knew Derek. They have so many friends in common. It's lovely to see Kate smiling again.'
Maureen's Previous Relationships
After Jack Rosenthal's death, Maureen dated Italian businessman Guido Castro for 13 years until his death in 2021. She said: 'He got Covid – it wasn't Covid that killed him but it weakened him terribly. We don't know how he got it or when or if he had it when he got the vaccine.' She added: 'I said to Guido, "It's time to go. You've got to let go". And I think for once in his life he actually did what I told him.'
Public Appearances with David
Maureen first mentioned David in autumn 2023, bringing him as her 'gentleman friend' to the National Television Awards. They made their public debut at the Oldie Of The Year Awards that November, where she proudly said: 'That's my significant other.' Her friend Gyles Brandreth revealed on his podcast that the couple married in September 2025, saying: 'Dame Maureen Lipman, this Sunday I will be going to her wedding. She's getting married in the morning! I think it's actually the afternoon. I'll be there. Isn't it fantastic? To get married in your 80th year is fantastic.'
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.
