Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway has opened up about a distressing AI-generated hoax that fabricated a new romance for her and, most hurtfully, targeted her teenage son in the aftermath of her husband's death.
The Cruel Anniversary Hoax
Kate revealed that around the first anniversary of her late husband Derek Draper's passing in January 2024, fabricated images and stories began circulating online. AI technology was used to create a photo of her with an unidentified man, sparking completely false rumours that she had found a new partner.
Derek Draper, father to Kate's children Darcey, 19, and William, 16, died at age 56 after suffering long-term complications from Covid. The couple had been married for 18 years after meeting in 2004.
When the Joke Stopped Being Funny
Initially, Kate admitted she laughed off the bizarre fake photos when well-wishers approached her in the street. She found their concern "sweet" and engaged in conversations about grief. However, the situation escalated alarmingly when AI-generated articles began to specifically involve her 16-year-old son, William.
In a column for The Sun, Kate described the moment she read a fabricated article that claimed her son was "not happy" and was "insisting she ends" the non-existent relationship. "As if Bill hasn’t already had enough to cope with - navigating teenage life, exam pressure and the loss of his dad," she wrote, explaining he was suddenly portrayed as "obstructive to his mum’s happiness, and selfish".
Kate was quick to insist that William is the complete opposite of this cruel characterisation.
The Real-World Impact of AI Fakery
Speaking on ITV's Good Morning Britain this week, the broadcaster detailed how the hoax unfolded via fake Facebook accounts set up in her name. As she does not use the platform herself, she only became aware when strangers offered congratulations on her "new love".
The emotional toll became severe when the lies directly implicated her grieving children. The incident highlights the dangerous and personal consequences of unregulated AI and online misinformation, moving beyond celebrity gossip to cause genuine familial distress.
Kate announced Derek's death in January 2024 with a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, writing: "Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life."
