Kate Garraway shares touching message as she returns to social media

Good Morning Britain star Kate Garraway has shared first posted on social media since she announced the tragic loss of her husband, Derek Draper.

Turning to social media on Friday, the 56-year-old posted a heartwarming message for her friend, Ben Shephard, following the news he will be the new regular host of This Morning.

She wrote: "Massive congrats to @benshephardofficial on the @itv @thismorning gig. You’ll be SOOOOO missed by EVERYONE @gmb viewers and the team alike & of course especially me. BUT after 24 years hard labour by my side no one will begrudge you time off for good behaviour!!! Good luck swapping early starts for (abit) of a lie-in and a Kate for a Cat! @catdeeley can’t wait to see you - you’ll have a ball [pink love heart emojis]."

The touching words were penned alongside a collage of images of the duo side-by-side on the ITV show.

Kate returned to show last week for the first time since Derek passed away. On the programme, she and Ben opened with an insight into Derek's "extraordinary" funeral service, which took place in north London on Friday 2 February.

"It was one of the most extraordinary send-offs, a real celebration," he said, adding that Kate and her two children, Darcey, 17, and Billy, 14, "really did Derek proud".