Kate Garraway has recently delighted her fans by smiling publicly again, but she still faces the shadow of her late husband Derek Draper's financial legacy. The Good Morning Britain presenter is now dealing with a debt recovery agent, Grace & Good, appointed by liquidators of Draper's company Astra Aspera, of which she is sole director.
This is the latest chapter in a punishing financial saga that began when Draper was struck by long Covid in 2020, leading to a four-year struggle that ended with his death in 2024 at age 56. During that time, Garraway faced debts of up to £800,000, spending her salary on his £16,000-a-month care. Astra Aspera's debts mounted as Draper was unable to work.
Now, the company owes £288,000 to HMRC, and liquidators have appointed Grace & Good to recover the debt. Garraway's spokesman said she 'has been working fully with the liquidators and their agents to try to resolve things on Derek's behalf.'
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