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Katie Hopkins on Kate Garraway.

(161 Posts)
Sago Tue 16-Jan-24 10:08:34

Katie Hopkins as been quite rightly castigated after a viscous rant about Kate Garraway.

I do however feel that KG did parade her husband during his battle with Covid, it felt too intrusive to watch in an ICU bed intubated and hooked up to all kinds of support.

I’m sure he was not in a position to give his consent.

His recovery and return home was also put in the public domain, in my opinion it was too much.
There are apparently books and documentaries too.

I have never watched anything KG has presented or appeared in, I only know her as Derek Drapers wife, for which she now more famous for.

Should she have allowed Derek the dignity that Michael Schumacher has been allowed, his family have shown such love, care and respect, or was KG right to use her late husband to promote awareness?

GrannyGravy13 Tue 16-Jan-24 14:07:43

KG is on record saying that when DD was brought bout of his induced coma he was able to communicate with hospital staff and family members, albeit minimally on occasions.

I hope she managed to get a good financial deal for both documentaries and the following book.

Whether or not she donated any of her earnings to charity is a completely private matter.

Hats off to Kate for holding down a job (several in fact) whilst raising two children and being responsible for organising and paying for Derek’s care.

Purplepixie Tue 16-Jan-24 14:05:48

My heart goes out to Kate Garraway and her family. She did the right thing by the programme about her husband. Highlighting the horrible illness, Covid and the after effects for some people. What is wrong with Katie Hopkins? Ignorant beyond belief!!!

Patsy70 Tue 16-Jan-24 13:58:28

Casdon

All the money Kate Garraway made on the films has been spent on the care of her husband. She had to close down his company which was in debt, and may have to sell her home because of the care costs. A little more compassion is needed here.

I agree with Casdon and the comments expressed by Callistemon and Maybee relating to Kate G, Derek and their family. I haven’t seen or heard KH’s comments, and have no wish to. I believe Derek had consented to the publicity his condition aroused. RIP Derek and heartfelt sympathy to Kate, who has been such a tower of strength.

Casdon Tue 16-Jan-24 13:50:51

Germanshepherdsmum

MayBee70

Out of interest do those people that think it was wrong of Kate to use her husband to promote awareness of long covid also think the publicity that Rob Burrow is getting for motor neurone disease wrong also? Or the lovely lady who garnered so much publicity for bowel cancer? Can anyone explain if there is a difference and, if so what is it.

The difference is that Derek Draper did not personally publicise his situation (and I have doubts that he was capable of consenting to his wife doing so). KG did not act purely to raise awareness of the damage that covid can cause - she was financially motivated.

She was motivated to give him the best care she could, so she used the skills she had to obtain money to do that. He wasn’t conscious initially, but I’ve not seen anywhere that once he was home he was unaware of what was happening. You only have to look at the photographs when they attended the palace for her award that he was fully aware of what was happening, and enjoying the occasion.

Germanshepherdsmum Tue 16-Jan-24 13:47:20

Indeed he is Sago. I don’t know that DD had capacity though - certainly not when comatose.

Germanshepherdsmum Tue 16-Jan-24 13:45:48

I don’t think she has donated the money she has received to charity has she?

Sago Tue 16-Jan-24 13:33:48

MayBee70

Out of interest do those people that think it was wrong of Kate to use her husband to promote awareness of long covid also think the publicity that Rob Burrow is getting for motor neurone disease wrong also? Or the lovely lady who garnered so much publicity for bowel cancer? Can anyone explain if there is a difference and, if so what is it.

Rob Burrows is of sound mind.

Callistemon21 Tue 16-Jan-24 13:26:29

You don't know that GSM.

Germanshepherdsmum Tue 16-Jan-24 13:18:11

MayBee70

Out of interest do those people that think it was wrong of Kate to use her husband to promote awareness of long covid also think the publicity that Rob Burrow is getting for motor neurone disease wrong also? Or the lovely lady who garnered so much publicity for bowel cancer? Can anyone explain if there is a difference and, if so what is it.

The difference is that Derek Draper did not personally publicise his situation (and I have doubts that he was capable of consenting to his wife doing so). KG did not act purely to raise awareness of the damage that covid can cause - she was financially motivated.

honeyrose Tue 16-Jan-24 13:18:06

Oh God. Typo in my last sentence!!!!! Meant to say KH - zip it, you dreadful person! Sorry!!

honeyrose Tue 16-Jan-24 13:15:23

Katie Hopkins - evil, evil, evil. How vile and heartless of her to mock Kate Garraway. KH has definitely reached a new low - she only seems to receive publicity by making such vile and cruel comments. If only we could all ignore her -maybe that’s the best way to treat someone who makes such shocking comments. Maybe Kate Garraway was courting publicity over her husband Derek Draper’s husband illness and death (although I never actually thought of it that way), the programmes made for extremely uncomfortable viewing and I have every sympathy for KG and her family. She is now the sole breadwinner, left to bring up her family without the love and support (financial and otherwise) of Derek. The care costs would have been horrendous, adding to the family’s plight. Also, KG was raising awareness of how Long Covid can affect lives. Derek was the most ill person to have survived for so long. Whether I would have handled things the same as KG, I cannot say because I’ve not been in that position - thankfully! RIP Derek Draper. Condolences to KG and family. KG - zip it, you dreadful person.

Chocolatelovinggran Tue 16-Jan-24 13:08:35

I have no views on this matter, but I do have opinions on Katie Hopkins- none of them pleasant. She holds strong views on the shortcomings of many and doesn't hesitate to share them. Her writings rarely offer joy or enlightenment. She published quite a diatribe on the habit of the underclass naming a child after a place. Her daughter is called India. When challenged on this matter her response was that India was not a place, it was just a lovely name for a girl...

Callistemon21 Tue 16-Jan-24 12:58:58

works - world

Autocorrect is on form today, sorry.

Callistemon21 Tue 16-Jan-24 12:58:22

That said if Elton (who has mega ££s) were to offer financial help I just think that would be very kind and would take some of the worry and anxiety away to some extent.

I don't know Kate Garraway personally but she doesn't seem like the kind of woman who would need or want handouts.

As for Derek Draper being seen at his most vulnerable, showing the works what Covid can do to a healthy person, I think of what his previous job was before he became a psychotherapist. He was a political lobbyist, a public relations man with his own firm, political editor, someone quite used to the media.

MayBee70 Tue 16-Jan-24 12:51:29

Out of interest do those people that think it was wrong of Kate to use her husband to promote awareness of long covid also think the publicity that Rob Burrow is getting for motor neurone disease wrong also? Or the lovely lady who garnered so much publicity for bowel cancer? Can anyone explain if there is a difference and, if so what is it.

Bella23 Tue 16-Jan-24 12:35:39

Callistemon21

vintage1950

I sometimes wonder whether Katie Hopkins suffered brain damage as a result of her (previously) poorly-controlled epilepsy. There must be some reason for her awful behaviour!

She was necking red wine when she made the vile video apparently.

A very harsh comment on someone with epilepsy where is the empathy you accused me of not having?
. By necking do you mean drinking? If I remember from my teens it meant something completely different.

Sago Tue 16-Jan-24 12:24:18

It’s interesting how he is so often referred to as Kate Garraway’s husband and not by his name Derek Draper.

keepcalmandcavachon Tue 16-Jan-24 12:19:56

I think people who are in the public eye for a living are probably a lot more used to a level of invasive publicity than most of us would consider 'normal'. She may or may not have misgivings in the future, but at the time done what felt right for her family. So sad she had to make those decisions at all, poor woman. Hope she gets all the help and support she needs.

Urmstongran Tue 16-Jan-24 11:58:14

Indeed Casdon. That said maybe KG would just like to start afresh this year with a new home without all the sad reminders - a wet room, a lift had been installed etc. She has been immensely brave. She has held things together for their under tremendous pressure. I admire her very much.

That said if Elton (who has mega ££s) were to offer financial help I just think that would be very kind and would take some of the worry and anxiety away to some extent.

Obviously I have no idea really about this. It’s just my musings on the subject.

TillyTrotter Tue 16-Jan-24 11:57:43

What MisInterpreted and Spuddy said.

Anniebach Tue 16-Jan-24 11:50:58

Katie Hopkins gave her opinion

rafichagran Tue 16-Jan-24 11:45:45

Sago, it was nasty and disrespectful, people were posting on a condolence thread her views were wrong on that thread.
Bella was asked many times to start another thread.
If she had started or posted on a thread like this no one would have minded. Everyone has a right to a opinion, and this sort of thread is where they can be expressed.

Spuddy Tue 16-Jan-24 11:41:54

KH is and always will be sheer evil. She had a go at Linda Nolen saying she had fat arms and droopy breasts, while Linda was riddled with cancer and she's sank her claws into all kinds of other victims.

She fat-shames anyone who is bigger than a size 00, ugly-shames etc. etc. when in reality she's one of the ugliest people out there, she's no beauty that's for sure!

Whether KG was right or wrong in the way she ''promoted'' Derek's illness, Hopkins should never have said such things.

Casdon Tue 16-Jan-24 11:35:28

Urmstongran

Elton John is apparently a good friend of hers. I doubt he’d see her sink.

Who wants to survive on charity though? She strikes me as a proud woman, whose first priority has always been to do her best for her husband and children. She doesn’t need negativity at the moment, life must be very hard for her.

vintage1950 Tue 16-Jan-24 11:34:45

Sorry, didn't mean to be harsh about Katie Hopkins. I was just wondering if there was a physical reason which might make her behaviour more understandable. She seems to have had an extremely severe form of epilepsy, which had a great impact on her life. As far as that goes, I am sorry for her and glad that she is better now physically. However, her remarks about Kate Garraway are pretty appalling.