Y Challenges

Presenter Kate Garraway has turned 50 and is determined to get out of her comfort zone…

What better way to kick off her year of monthly challenges than to give up alcohol for the whole of January? It was, she admits, really tough at times.

“It made me realise that I might not drink as regularly as my friends but I do still drink!” explains Kate. “I have a glass of wine at lunch if I’m out with friends, or on a Friday or Saturday night normally, and so that was interesting.”

With the exception of the night of the National TV Awards, where Kate readily admits she is proud of too.

“It is a long time,” she remarks. “And I am chuffed to be around still. I’ve been doing it for 21 years, but I love it. It’s such a lovely group to work with and we all get on so well.

“At the end of the day, there is something very special about breakfast TV. You have the PM on one day, Take That the next, or an extraordinary person telling their story. You feel very privileged to be part of that.”

The banter and laughter

“Doing this is a great life leveller,” says Kate. “I can help shine a light on the things that are so worthwhile. All our nurses are extraordinary. They have to have such a big skill set and I don’t think they are rewarded enough. This is a way of saying thank you to those who have helped us.

“Could I be a nurse? I don’t actually think I would be very good at it!”

As for future challenges over the coming months, Kate laughs as she says daughter, Darcey, is desperate for her to