Kate Garraway divides fans as airline goes all out on ‘emotional’ trip after dad's illness

Kate Garraway thanked Virgin Atlantic staff for helping her through an “emotional” flight with her son Billy amid her father’s health struggles. The Good Morning Britain presenter had planned a special trip for Billy’s 15th birthday but feared having to cancel following her dad’s hospitalisation two weeks ago.

Thankfully, Kate was able to avoid disappointing her son after Virgin staff created a “flight plan” which allowed the mum-of-two to “keep plates spinning” while also giving Billy a birthday to remember.

Taking to Instagram, Kate shared photographs from inside the Virgin Atlantic lounge and gave a shout-out to staff member Wendy for making their experience an extra-special one.

In the caption, the presenter wrote to her 1.3m followers: “Thank you so much to the amazing gang @virginatlantic - and @wendyheigho - for helping me give my son Bill a fantastic birthday.

“More of that to come. But with all that’s happened with my own Dad obviously a lot had to be cancelled as I wanted to be with him and mum and I feared I would have to disappoint Bill - yet again - and not be able to do any of our summer plans.

“Thanks though to the @virgin team’s incredible logistical brains - and a flight plan that looked like a spider’s web!!! - I have managed to keep plates spinning and grab some joy in between.

“But most of all thank you so much to @virgin for just ‘getting it’ and knowing that the specialness of the journey is as important as the destination. Your kindness has made an emotional flight so special.”

Hundreds took to the comments to share messages for the presenter. Lisa wrote: “You deserve some happiness.”

Carol said: “This is amazing. My dad also got really sick at the start of this year and it’s so hard to juggle working day life, home life and looking after a sick parent."

And Teddy added: “I hope you have a lovely time with Bill and some happy memories made, you need a bit of joy. Always fly with Virgin when going to America and the staff are just special. All the crew will go out of their way to accommodate they are amazing.”

However, some naysayers took the opportunity to criticise the post, with one moaning: "Wish I could fly first class with your debt," and another sneering: "Thought you was skint?"

Kate's fans quickly rushed to her defence. Eva said: "That is totally uncalled for! I hope you are never in a situation where you are judged so horribly without us knowing the facts," and Patricia wrote: "What's her money got to do with you worry about yourself and leave lovely Kate and her family alone."

Kate has been vocal about the huge debt she has been left with after caring for her husband, Derek Draper, until his death in January.

In her ITV documentary, Derek's Story, which aired in March this year, Kate explained that Derek needed round-the-clock care but was not eligible for funding. In the programme, she estimated that she had incurred up to £800,000 in care debt.

Two weeks ago, Kate suffered fresh heartbreak when her father collapsed and suffered from a suspected stroke or heart attack.

She has taken a break from Good Morning Britain and Smooth Radio after rushing to be with her parents.

At the time, a source told The Sun: "Very sadly, Kate's father collapsed earlier this week while staying, along with her mum and her brother in Cornwall.

"It was incredibly frightening as he was found unconscious and immediately taken to hospital. It seems likely that he's had a stroke and possibly a heart attack as well - doctors are still doing tests."

In an update on Instagram, Kate explained that her father was "stable and recovering".