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Kate Garraway marked the second birthday without her husband Derek Draper(Image: PA)

Kate Garraway has addressed speculation surrounding her romantic life following her husband’s passing.

Prior to her stint on Celebrity Traitors, the Good Morning Britain presenter discussed her circumstances after Derek’s tragic death.

Back in March 2020, Kate’s husband Derek fell ill with Covid, leaving Kate to juggle caring for him full-time whilst becoming the household’s main breadwinner.

Several years on, Derek passed away, with Kate subsequently concentrating on bringing up her two youngsters, Darcey and Billy.

Considerable conjecture has surrounded whether Kate has re-entered the dating scene, but she has now clarified her position regarding romance, reports the Mirror.

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She remains single – explaining she doesn’t feel capable of pursuing relationships at present.

Discussing the dating rumours, Kate described the speculation about her personal life as “hilarious”.

“I don’t have Facebook but all my friends tell me there’s loads of stuff about me being in a relationship and having a boyfriend on there,” Kate revealed to journalists.

“On the internet too, one website said, ‘We have everything you need to know about Kate’s new man’. It was an AI mix of Ben Shephard’s face with a man who works with me. I thought it was hilarious.”

She continued that whilst it prompted her to consider dating once more, she recognised she wasn’t prepared.

“This has made me think about it and honestly, I don’t feel as if I can,” she said.

“It’s a weird one, because I wouldn’t like to think I’d spend the rest of my life without love, but also it feels preposterous at the moment to think of being with anyone else.

“What Derek and I loved was our home life and just pottering around, and we had 21 years of that, so mentally I am still in that zone.”

Kate went on to reveal that “when the time is right” she would consider dating again, though she admits she’s unsure how to navigate it now.

“I kind of wish I was in my 20s for lots of reasons, particularly when I see my bottom in the mirror! But it feels as though socialising was easier then. I can’t imagine ever going on a dating app. I’m so private.”

However, for the moment, that chapter remains distant. She’s keen to reconnect with friends first.

“I’m going to start going for drinks with friends and try to have a social life that isn’t based on being a mummy. I just don’t feel mentally ready for more than that.”

Kate is set to appear on the Celebrity Traitors shortly. The celebrity version of the popular game show launches in October and will feature famous faces attempting to identify who among them can be trusted and who is secretly plotting to claim the prize money.

Kate will appear alongside stars from across the entertainment world, including Stephen Fry, Tom Daley, Clare Balding and EastEnders’ Tameka Empson.