Kate Garraway has swapped the wedding ring from late husband Derek Draper to her other hand as rumours persist of new romance in her life.
The political spin doctor died in January 2024, from complications related to COVID-19.
Since then, the 58-year-old Celebrity Traitors star has focused on rebuilding her life with their children, Darcey and William.
In December 2025, Garraway hinted that eventually she may be open to another romance, telling Jamie Lang on his podcast that it would be a ‘sad way to go through life,’ to never love again.
It appears that the Good Morning Britain host is now tentatively dipping her toe back into the dating pool, following rumours that she is seeing fellow journalist Liam Halligan.
This comes after she moved her wedding band and engagement ring to her right hand, in memory of her late husband.
According to The Sun, Garraway initially switched the rings over while filming a challenge for Celebrity Traitors last year.
A spokesperson told the tabloid: ‘Since then [she] wears them on her right hand every day in memory of Derek.’
Garraway married former political advisor and psychotherapist Draper in 2005, after being introduced by Labour MP Gloria De Piero.
In 2006, they welcomed daughter Darcey together, and later son William in 2009.
They had planned to renew their wedding vows for their 15th anniversary in 2020, but were forced to postpone when Draper fell ill with COVID in March that year.
Requiring round-the-clock care due to the ensuing complications, he passed away in January 2024, aged 56.
![From Flicker Productions KATE GARRAWAY : DEREKS STORY Tuesday 26th March 2024, 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX Pictured: Kate and Derek at home during filming in May 2023, Following the sad loss of Derek Draper in January this year, Kate Garraway: Derek's Story, documents the final year of his life. This film follows the two previous award-winning films also made by Flicker Productions: Finding Derek and Caring for Derek. With close access to Derek and his wife, Kate Garraway, the film provides an insight into his personal struggles with illness and highlights the challenges faced by millions of people in the UK living with serious illness and disability and those who care for them. Joining Derek and Kate in May 2023, the film confronts head on the reality of Derek???s struggles and gives an unflinching view of the effect on all those around while also capturing real moments of love and joy as they spend time together as a family. With around five million unpaid carers in England and Wales, the film also highlights the often prohibitive costs as well as practical difficulties, of caring for people within their homes and features contributions from Jake, the care worker who supports Derek???s care, as well as Kathryn Smith, CEO from charity Social Care Institute for Excellence. Derek's Story also reflects on Derek???s life before Covid, including his high-profile political career, as well his relationship with Kate, their early years together and how Derek???s illness changed the nature of their dynamic while they maintained their close bond. When asked why he wanted to take part in this film, Derek said: "I want to be heard." (C) Flicker Productions For further information please contact Peter Gray Mob 07831460662 / peter.gray@itv.com This photograph is (C) *** and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned herein. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SEI_195964138-cc29.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Garraway announced her husband’s death in January 2024, posting a photo on Instagram and writing: ‘I’m sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away.
‘As some of you may know he has been critically ill following a cardiac arrest in early December which, because of the damage inflicted by Covid in March 2020, led to further complications.
‘Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed.’
She continued: ‘I have so much more to say, and of course I will do so in due course, but for now I just want to thank all the medical teams who fought so hard to save him and to make his final moments as comfortable and dignified as possible.
‘Sending so much love and thanks to all of you who have so generously given our family so much support. Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life.’
While Garraway has yet to address rumours that she’s dating Telegraph columnist Liam Halligan, he has seemingly confirmed that they are growing close.
The pair reconnected after being reintroduced via mutual friends, whereupon they were pictured together as she visited an Essex pub to watch him play with his band, The Hooligans.
Appearing on Mark Dolan’s Talk TV radio show, Halligan explained: ‘I’ve known Kate for a long time. I knew her late husband Derek, of course I did, I was a correspondent for the Financial Times in the late nineties.
‘In recent years for different reasons we’ve both ended up single, against our wishes I should say. And so, in recent weeks and months Kate and I have become good friends.’
Of being snapped together, Liam said: ‘It turns out some of my neighbours were excited that she was in the pub and posted some pictures.’
He went on to describe himself as ‘good friends’ with Garraway, before adding: ‘It’s early days, we’ll see what happens.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.