Kate Garraway shared a warm moment with broadcaster friend Liam Halligan on Friday as he geared up for a grueling 300km charity bike ride from London to Paris.
The Epic Charity Challenge
The Good Morning Britain presenter, 59, smiled for photos while showing support for Liam and his cycling partner, Serge Kogan. The duo plans to complete the tandem bike journey in just 24 hours to raise funds for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a condition Liam was diagnosed with in childhood.
Liam, an award-winning journalist and 56-year-old single father, shared an update on X: “It’s today! London-to-Paris in 24 hours, 300km, on a tandem.” Previously economics and business editor at GB News, he now writes a column for The Sunday Telegraph. He is separated from journalist Lucy Ward, and they share a son and two daughters, Maeve and Ailis, who perform with him in his band, The Hooligans.
Blossoming Friendship
Kate and Liam have known each other for over 20 years and share mutual friends, including her late husband, Derek Draper. Both recently became single under difficult circumstances.
During a Tuesday appearance on Mark Dolan’s TalkTV show, Liam described their connection. “I’ve known her for a long time, I knew Derek, I was a political commentator, of course I knew him,” he said. “In recent years for different reasons, we have both become single, against our wishes. So, in recent weeks and months, Kate and I have become good friends.”
He added: “We were reintroduced. Kate and a lot of friends came to see my band The Hooligans play in Saffron Walden, my hometown over the weekend. Kate and I are good friends, it’s early days, we’ll see what happens.”
Over the weekend, Kate joined Liam at The Railway Arms pub in Saffron Walden, Essex, where he performed with his band. Witnesses noted the pair appeared close, enjoying the lively atmosphere filled with singing and dancing. Liam introduced her to friends and neighbors, who remarked on their evident happiness. Sources indicate Kate has visited Liam’s home several times recently.
A friend close to Kate shared: “Kate has formed a close friendship with Liam and they really enjoy one another’s company. Liam makes her laugh, he is very funny and they’ve been hanging out with their close circle of mates. It’s lovely to see Kate smiling again.”
Background on Kate’s Loss
Kate tragically lost Derek Draper, a former political lobbyist and psychotherapist, to a cardiac arrest in January 2024. He had battled severe Covid-19 complications since March 2020. She cared for him at their north London home, where she continues to live with their children, Darcey, 20, and Billie, 16.
Recently, Kate described her BBC Celebrity Traitors experience as “transformative” amid her grieving process.
