Kate Garraway has been open about the financial strain her family has faced over the past year, following her husband Derek Draper's hospitalisation.

Now, the Good Morning Britain presenter, 53, has been named as the director of Derek's company, giving her majority approval over the running of the business.

Derek had been appointed as the director of the private limited company back in 2011, but Kate has taken over the role as of February 26, according to documents filed to Companies House.

Kate addressed the "practical problems" of Derek's illness previously on GMB, explaining the majority of the family's accounts and finances were in her husband's name.

The broadcaster explained she'd been forced to rely on friends and family for financial support in the wake of Derek's health battle.

She said: "One of the practical problems – which a lot of people would've experienced if they've got the absence of someone in their life – like many things the car is entirely in Derek's name, the insurance is in Derek's name, a lot of our bank accounts.

"There are a lot of financial goings that I've talked to you both about going on, which is making life very complicated because I can't get access to things."

The struggle is one recognised by many who have cared for poorly loved ones, as Kate added: "Because legally, I haven't got power of attorney.

"And all this other stuff that goes on when you're dealing with a situation where someone's been sick for a long time."

Derek's health battle was documented last month in a powerful ITV documentary, Finding Derek, which detailed the family's ordeal over the past year.

The former political lobbyist was hospitalised with Covid in March 2020 and was eventually placed in an induced coma while in ICU.

Though Derek has regained consciousness and is now able to communicate, the virus has caused blood clots in his lungs, leaving him diabetic, and with damage to his liver and pancreas.

In the documentary, Kate interviewed others whose lives had been similarly affected by Covid, investigating the devastating impact of the disease.

Over the past year, Kate has been dedicated to sharing her story with others to raise awareness, even writing a soon-to-be-released book on the subject.

Titled The Power of Hope, the book is set for release later this month.

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Describing the memoir, Kate said: "The pandemic is far from over and so is Derek's journey but I have decided to share our story and what's helping to keep me going, as we all try to work out what our new futures will look like.

"I am really hoping that it will help you with all that you are going through."

Good Morning Britain airs on weekdays at 6am on ITV.

• Good Morning Britain
• Kate Garraway

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