Kate Garraway, 58, is reportedly experiencing significant financial distress in the aftermath of her husband Derek Draper’s passing. According to publicly available statements, Ms. Garraway has disclosed that she is facing outstanding debts estimated to be in the range of £500,000 to £800,000.
Mr. Draper, a former political advisor and lobbyist, died in January 2024 at the age of 56, following a protracted four-year illness attributed to complications from long Covid. During this period, Ms. Garraway is understood to have borne monthly care expenses in the region of £16,000. The cumulative financial burden arising from prolonged private healthcare costs and subsequent obligations has reportedly left her “shocked,” as further liabilities continue to surface.
A recent liquidator’s report has disclosed further financial encumbrances linked to Astra Aspera Limited, the now-defunct psychotherapeutic services company formerly co-directed by the late Derek Draper and his spouse, broadcaster Kate Garraway.
The company entered insolvency proceedings with substantial liabilities owed to multiple creditors, most notably HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Companies House filings indicate that HMRC initially submitted a preferential claim in 2023 amounting to £716,822. However, a revised submission has since been filed, lowering the outstanding claim to £288,054—a reduction of approximately two-thirds. The rationale for this downward revision has not been made publicly available.
Despite this modification, the liquidator’s report indicates that the estate lacks sufficient assets to disburse dividends to secondary preferential creditors.
It is reported that Ms. Garraway has already contributed £21,000 toward resolving the company’s outstanding obligations. In a statement issued via her spokesperson to MailOnline, Ms. Garraway expressed surprise at the reported figures and stated that she “does not recognise these numbers.” The spokesperson further clarified that Ms. Garraway has “met all requests made by the liquidators over the past four years” and remains in active contact with HMRC to ensure full compliance with her obligations.
The statement added:
“Caring for Mr. Draper and supporting her family during a period when he was unable to manage his own business affairs has imposed a considerable financial burden on Ms. Garraway. Nonetheless, she remains committed to resolving all outstanding matters appropriately.”#newsafro_
