GRACING THE VARIETY AWARDS KATE GARRAWAY IS PRAISED BY HER PEERS AS STAR MAKES POIGNANT RETURN TO THE PUBLIC EYE

It was a night of glitz, glamour and gongs at the Variety Club Showbusiness Awards, with stars including Kate Garraway, Rochelle Humes and Dame Joan Collins among the famous faces being honoured.

- FRANCESCA SHILLCOCK

HELLO! was with them at The Londoner hotel in the heart of the capital’s West End, greeting guests on the red carpet before heading into the grand ballroom to see hostess Amanda Holden, dazzling in a white dress by Celia Kritharioti, announce the winners.

Among them was Good Morning Britain and Global radio presenter Kate, who was making her first red carpet appearance since the death of her husband Derek Draper in January and took to the stage in the night’s most poignant moment.

The 56-year-old was honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting – TV and Radio award, for a career including her inspirational documentaries about Derek’s health struggles after he contracted Covid-19 in early 2020.

Thanking those who supported her throughout, Kate said: “When you do go through something tough, you find out where the goodness is.”

She also praised her Global colleagues, saying: “The energy and fun is just fantastic. But when things take a dark turn, suddenly you see this amazing side of people who not only help you go on air every day and look half-decent doing your show, but also come round and keep you going and help you survive.”

RAISING THE BAR

Kate was introduced by her former ITV co-star Ben Shephard, who said: “We’ve worked together, on and off, for 24 years. I’m much better at what I do because I worked alongside Kate Garraway.”