Kate Garraway and Maureen Lipman were seen bonding while appearing live together on Good Morning Britain as the actress opened up on finding love at a later stage in life after losing her husband.
TV presenter Kate, 59, was joined by her regular co-host Ed Balls on Wednesday’s installment of the ITV daytime show, where actress Maureen, 79, appeared as a guest.
The Coronation Street legend took to the show to open up about her marriage to husband David Turner, 80, last September – after finding love in 2023, two decades after the death of her late first husband.
Maureen, was married to playwright Jack Rosenthal from 1974 to 2004 and tied the knot again last year to David, who had lost his wife to Alzheimer’s and had been widowed for three years.
The Evelyn Plummer star opened up on GMB about how she had popped the question to David, a year into their romance after meeting at a friend’s gathering.
And Maureen wasted no time in encouraging Kate – who lost her husband Derek Draper following a four-year battle with severe complications from Covid-19 back in January 2024. Kate has since grown close to fellow broadcaster Liam Halligan.
Kate Garraway and Maureen Lipman (pictured) were seen bonding while appearing live together on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday as the actress opened up on finding love again
TV presenter Kate, 59, was joined by her regular co-host Ed Balls on Wednesday’s installment of the ITV daytime show, where actress Maureen, 79, appeared as a guest
Reflecting on Maureen’s grief for her late husband and her recent love story, Kate added: ‘ It’s a wonderful story of love at a later stage in life’
Speaking about her proposal, Maureen explained to Kate and Ed, 59, that she took advantage of a day in the Jewish calendar, Tu B’Av – a day of celebration where women propose to men – to pop the question.
She said: ‘We were on a train, I’d been with David for a year or so. He told me this fact, he’s quite erudite about his faith.
‘Just for a joke, I just slid under the table and said, “Will you marry me?” He said: “Are you serious?” and I said, “Oh, I don’t know”. Then of course you had to get me out with a warm spoon.’
Reflecting on Maureen’s grief for her late husband and her recent love story, Kate added: ‘It’s a wonderful story of love at a later stage in life.’
Maureen was quick to encourage her: ‘It can happen to you. It can and it is very wonderful. I don’t want to be smug because I would wish it for everybody on Earth but you know – nice man, wonderful family and nothing stays the same.
‘You have to be prepared for change.’
Last month, it was reported that Kate had formed a close friendship with Mr Halligan, who she has known for 20 years. He was also a friend of Derek.
One of her friends told the Daily Mail: ‘Kate has formed a close friendship with Liam and they really enjoy one another’s company.
‘They met through friends. Liam makes her laugh, he is very funny and they’ve been hanging out with their close circle of mates. Kate doesn’t know if it will go anywhere. Maybe it will, maybe it won’t, but it’s complicated.
‘It has been really tough for Kate since Derek died, and she is a mother to two children and they are all still grieving.
‘But they have known one another for 20 years. Liam knew Derek. They have so many friends in common. It’s lovely to see Kate smiling again.’
The Coronation Street legend took to the show to open up about her marriage to husband David Turner, 80, last September
The actress was married to TV scriptwriter Jack Rosenthal for 30 years until his death in 2004 and they welcomed daughter Amy, 50, and Adam, 48 (pictured in 2002)
Maureen had a 13-year relationship with computer expert Guido Castro, who died in 2021, after his body was ‘weakened’ by Covid (pictured in 2014)
Meanwhile, back in September 2025, it was revealed that Maureen was set to tie the knot with David after she proposed to him during the train journey in 2024.
Maureen’s good friend Gyles Brandreth, who she used to regularly appear on Gogglebox with, revealed the date the wedding was taking place.
Speaking on an episode of his podcast Rosebud, Gyles revealed: ‘Dame Maureen Lipman, this Sunday I will be going to her wedding. She’s getting married.
‘She’s getting married in the morning! I think it’s actually the afternoon. I’ll be there. Isn’t it fantastic? To get married in your 80th year is fantastic.’
The actress was married to TV scriptwriter Jack Rosenthal for 30 years until his death in 2004 and they welcomed daughter Amy, 50, and Adam, 48. David also has three children from a previous relationship.
Kate has since grown close to fellow broadcaster Liam Halligan following her husband’s death
The broadcaster’s husband Derek Draper, a former political lobbyist and psychotherapist, died of a cardiac arrest in January 2024 after a battle with Covid
Writing about how the children took the news, she shared: ‘All reactions were warm, and all were individual.
‘One child said that he needed time “to process it”. We broke the news to another as he slid leaves into a new dining table, transforming the scene into a Jack Rosenthal play – one with, I like to think, a happy ending.’
Maureen first mentioned David in autumn 2023, when she shared that she was bringing a ‘gentleman friend’ to that year’s National Television Awards.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Sunday Express she said: ‘I’m going with my gentleman friend David.’
Discussing finding love again at 77, the star was overjoyed to be sharing life with a partner.
She said: ‘It’s a gift for all concerned. It’s a gift and he’s been very nice. I’ve met some nice men in my life, some really interesting men, and we will see where it goes.’
They made their public appearance debut at the Oldie Of The Year Awards that November.
At the event, Maureen proudly said of David: ‘That’s my significant other.’
After the death of her husband, Maureen dated Italian businessman Guido Castro for 13 years before his death in 2021.
Speaking about her partner’s death, Maureen confirmed: ‘He got Covid – it wasn’t Covid that killed him but it weakened him terribly.
‘We don’t know how he got it or when or if he had it when he got the vaccine.’
Maureen heartbreakingly added: ‘I said to Guido, ”It’s time to go. You’ve got to let go”. And I think for once in his life he actually did what I told him.’
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.
