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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Laura Sharman

Kate Garraway goes on first night out in 17 months and says it was strange leaving sick husband Derek at home

Kate Garraway has enjoyed her first night out since before the pandemic and her husband’s long ordeal with coronavirus.

The Good Morning Britain presenter, 54, was among stars including Debbie McGee and former Love Island contestant Amy Hart who turned out for the West End opening of Wonderville at the Palace Theatre on Monday.

She described the event as “so very exciting” but admitted it felt strange leaving husband Derek Draper at home.

The opening of the magic and illusion show, featuring mind reader Chris Cox, Britain’s Got Talent magician Josephine Lee and record-breaking Magic Circle triple champion Edward Hilsum, had been delayed after a member of the production team tested positive for Covid-19.

Speaking at the event, Garraway said: “It’s our first time out since February 2020 so we are really excited.

“And this is a date that has sprung up because it was going to happen a few weeks ago and then it didn’t happen and then we just thought, ‘let’s go for it.’ So very exciting.

“It was very strange leaving [Derek] tonight to come out because he is a big fan of magic, but it is not possible at the moment so we just said next time and see him when we get back,” she said.

Kate Garraway with her husband Derek Draper and their two children Darcey and Bill in 2019 (PA)

Kate also voiced support for the arts industry and stressed its importance during the pandemic.

“I think it has been really tough for lots of industries and I think when we think about how tough it is for arts, we worry about the performers who I think have had it very tough.

“But of course it is everything else. It is the person that makes the costumes, it is the person that works the bar, it is the person that cleans the theatre.

“There is a whole group of people that have been left without work and I think for the rest of us we have missed the chance to have something to take us away from ourselves and escape.”

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