Richard Arnold is being supported by Kate Garraway as he cares for his mother.
Richard Arnold is being supported by Kate Garraway as he cares for his mother
The 54-year-old presenter revealed that his mother had taken ill last year and is now "no longer independent" but revealed that his 'Good Morning Britain' co-star Kate - who recently lost her husband Derek after a four year battle with COVID - has been by his side behind the scenes after her "very public journey" in trying to shine a light on the work that carers do throughout her own ordeal.
He told The Sun: "It’s been a very public journey for Kate as well as a very private one and I think the spotlight that she's put on the caring profession, in particular because I, you know, I care for my mum daily.
Mum had a bout of ill health last year and unfortunately she's now no longer independent and I'm there every day. I remember saying to Kate, you know, you sort of feel guilty when you are there, are you doing enough? And then you feel guilty when you're not there enough. Anyone who's in that position as a sort of unpaid carer knows it's a huge responsibility.
"Particularly with someone that you love and cherish and you want to make every day the best you can for them.
"So what Kate has done in shining a light on that community I think it's extraordinary.
"Particularly with someone that you love and cherish and you want to make every day the best you can for them.
"So what Kate has done in shining a light on that community I think it's extraordinary."
Richard added that he had been "very lucky" in finding a "fantastic" nurse to care for his mum and also thanked his other colleagues at the breakfast show for their support.
He said: "But we've been very lucky. For one particular condition that mum had a nurse would come in once maybe twice a week, Priscilla her name was.
"She's been fantastic. And now that mum's a little bit better, Priscilla's off the clock but the district nurses have been phenomenal.
"But that can be quite daunting for anyone to navigate initially, but Kate has been hugely supported.
But everybody has (at GMB) because we're all at that, sort of, stage of life.
"You know, it's the next chapter and, you know if you can go through the next chapter with a supportive ensemble I mean, obviously friends, family not just colleagues, you’re winning."
Former 'GMTV' presenter Kate, 56, took time out of her regular role on the ITV1 show in December just weeks before Derek died and is set to make her return to the studio on Thursday.
On Monday (05.02.24), Kate - who has Darcey, 17, and 14-year-old Billy with her late husband - gave her first interview since the funeral where she appeared on the programme from home.
She said: "t's a comfort to think he's free from pain, and my goodness, he deserves to be. But for Derek, what the medical profession, the carers, the therapists...there was a porter at the funeral who wanted to be there for porters everywhere. Receptionists...what they gave to our family for those extra four years is extraordinary and Derek wouldn't have traded one day of it and neither would we."
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