Overview

• Garraway wakes most nights panicking that she hasn’t given her late husband his medication, describing a recurring “tsunami of sadness” upon realisation he no longer needs care.
• She suffered a “heart event” in November 2022 and now faces likely surgery after her autoimmune thyroid condition worsened during Derek’s long Covid battle.
• The presenter has accrued between £500,000 and £800,000 in debts, driven by Derek’s £16,000-per-month home care costs and outstanding tax liabilities from his defunct company.
• Garraway highlights that unpaid carers save the UK £184 billion a year but lack sufficient support, urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to prioritise their health and financial relief.
• A three-week gap in professional care forced her to manage Derek’s 24/7 needs alone, leading to fears it was unsafe for her, her children and Derek himself.