Kate Garraway's daughter Darcey's touching gesture to brother Billy at NTA Awards

Kate Garraway won an award at last night's NTAs
-Credit: (Image: ITV)


Kate Garraway was visibly moved at the National Television Awards on Wednesday night as she accepted the prestigious award for her documentary about her late husband, Derek Draper.

Accompanied by her two children, Darcey, 18, and Billy, 15, it was a touching family moment. Observant fans noticed Kate's daughter making a significant gesture towards her younger brother, according to the Mirror.

Darcey, who lost her father Derek Draper earlier this year after a four-year struggle with Covid complications, was seen comforting her younger brother at the glamorous event held at London's O2 Arena. This happened as Kate delivered an emotional speech after winning the award for her poignant documentary detailing the challenges of caring for her late husband.

When it was announced that 'Derek's Story' - which chronicled the final year of their late father's life - had won the Best Authored Documentary award, the cameras focused on siblings Darcey and Billy, who were beaming with pride at their mother's accomplishment.

Viewers noticed Darcey affectionately rubbing her brother's shoulders as he became emotional during the unforgettable moment, reports the Daily Record.

As Kate accepted the award, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. She dedicated it to her late husband and all the carers across the UK, insisting they don't receive enough recognition for their hard work - something she experienced firsthand while caring for Derek during the last year of his life.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Darcey Mary Draper, Kate Garraway and Billy Draper during the NTAs 2024 at The O2 Arena on September 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images for the NTA's) -Credit:Getty Images for the NTA's

Kate Garraway delivered a poignant speech saying, "This is a bittersweet one isn't it? It's very bitter to be here, with the gorgeous Darcey and Billy. I promised them they didn't have to say anything. We're halfway through the first year of firsts really. A first Easter and first birthdays, without Derek. It's so strange to be here for the first Television Awards without him."

The evening saw Darcey and Billy accompany their mum on the red carpet, where the teenager turned heads in a stylish polka dot dress and her brother looked sharp in his black tuxedo.

Admiration for the siblings was evident on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, as fans offered an outpouring of support. One fan expressed, "Kate Garraway's daughter is so beautiful and so strong already. She is going to grow into an incredible young woman," Echoing the sentiment, another said, "Wow! Darcey Draper is stunning. Her dad would be so proud of her."

Further comments highlighted the resilience of the children: "Those two kids have been through so much. They've not only lost their father, but they've lost him in front of the whole world. They are both a credit to Kate and of course, their late dad Derek."

Kate had earlier commemorated a personal milestone, reflecting on what would have been her and Derek's 20th wedding anniversary with a touching video tribute that she shared on Tuesday.

"Today would've been my 20th wedding anniversary to Derek. I mean, it still is my 20th wedding anniversary to Derek, it's just one of those days that we've talked about, like Christmas to come, Easter. All of those things - his birthday - where you really feel a punch to the stomach."

"This one, particularly, I've been feeling really sorry for myself, I'm afraid, because it's such a personal thing. The others are as much, when he was here, made about the family, friends, all of that, whereas this day is so particularly special to him and I. The fact that he's not here makes me feel very sad and notice his absence like a roaring, roaring train."

She continued: "I've been leaning into the grief, as everyone says you have to, and I've been re-reading some of his lovely anniversary messages on previous cards which I feel so grateful to have had that kind of romance and love in my life. I'm so lucky."