Title: "Kate Garraway Reveals Bailiffs Visited During Late Husband Derek Draper’s Hospital Coma"

(Note: Adjusted to include Derek Draper’s name for clarity and specificity while maintaining conciseness.)

Kate Garraway Reveals Bailiffs Visited During Husband’s COVID Coma Amid Financial Struggles

Kate Garraway, 58, shared a distressing chapter of her life during Friday’s Good Morning Britain, revealing bailiffs arrived at her home in late 2020 while her late husband, Derek Draper, was in a COVID-induced coma. The presenter explained the council tax bill, typically handled by Derek, had gone unpaid as she hadn’t opened letters addressed to him during the crisis.

“I had no idea it was unpaid—I’d have paid it immediately,” Kate told money expert Martin Lewis, who advocates for reforming council debt collection. She described the rapid escalation from missed payments to bailiffs at her door within six weeks, adding, “I’m fortunate compared to others, but it was terrifying.”

[Image: Kate on Good Morning Britain discussing the bailiff incident.]

Fresh Financial Blow: Bank Account Freeze
This follows MailOnline’s report that Kate faced another setback amid an £800,000 debt battle. She was locked out of her Barclays accounts after changing her phone, hindering access to savings and current accounts. A desperate social media plea to the bank led to assistance, but the ordeal highlighted her ongoing struggles.

[Image: Kate outside Smooth Radio studios, managing work commitments.]

Debt from Derek’s Care and Company Collapse
Derek, a political lobbyist who died in January 2024 after a four-year COVID battle, required round-the-clock care costing £16,000 monthly. Kate inherited massive debts from his defunct company, Astra Aspera, which owed HMRC £288,054—reduced from £716,822. A spokesperson stated Kate is resolving obligations but “doesn’t recognize” the figures cited.

[Image: Derek Draper and Kate in earlier years.]

Kate’s Emotional Toll
In a January interview, Kate admitted feeling “ashamed” of her debt despite her stable income, emphasizing the systemic care funding crisis. “If I’m struggling, what about others?” she asked, revealing unresolved care-funding appeals at Derek’s death.

[Image: Kate emotional during a TV interview about financial strain.]

Conclusion
Kate’s ordeal underscores the hidden costs of long-term care and bureaucratic challenges. Her transparency highlights broader issues faced by caregivers, balancing personal grief with financial survival.

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(Note: Image placeholders indicate key visuals to accompany the condensed article.)