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Kate Garraway was by Liam Halligan's side as he kicked off a gruelling 300km charity bike ride. The Good Morning Britain host was spotted at the starting line supporting Liam as he began the tandem cycling challenge alongside longtime friend Serge Kogan. The pair, who have known each other for 20 years, are understood to have grown close earlier this year, with Liam recently admitting: "It's early days, we'll see what happens."

It comes three years after Kate's husband Derek Draper died due to complications from COVID-19 in January 2024. Economist Liam is taking part in the Duchenne Dash, a fundraising ride that supports research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - a fatal muscle-wasting disease diagnosed in childhood.

A pal said: "Liam and Serge are enormously proud to be playing a small part in helping the irrepressible founders of Duchenne UK to continue with their incredibly valuable activities - funding research and clinical trials, while helping scientists and medics to do everything possible to develop drugs that can be used to treat DMD in the UK and elsewhere."

Kate was there to support Liam ahead of his bike ride after visiting an Essex pub to watch his band play live. Taking to X, Liam shared a photo alongside Kate and his cycling partner Serge, all three of whom were beaming for the camera.

"It's today!" he penned. "London-to-Paris in 24 hours, 300km, on a tandem."

Last month, reports revealed how Kate had grown close to Liam - a friend of her late husband Derek - two years after his tragic death.

Speaking on Mark Dolan's Talk Radio show, Liam said: "I've known Kate for a long time. I knew her late husband Derek, of course I did, I was a correspondent for the Financial Times in the late Nineties.

"In recent years for different reasons we've both ended up single, against our wishes I should say. And so, in recent weeks and months Kate and I have become good friends.

"We were reintroduced having known each other back in the day by mutual friends."

Kate was married to former political advisor and psychotherapist Derek from 2005 until his death. They welcomed Darcey, 19, and Billy, 15, during their marriage.

Announcing the news of her husband's death on Instagram, Kate wrote: "I'm sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away."

The presenter explained how he had first suffered a cardiac arrest in 2020, adding: "Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed.

"I have so much more to say, and of course I will do so in due course, but for now I just want to thank all the medical teams who fought so hard to save him and to make his final moments as comfortable and dignified as possible.

"Sending so much love and thanks to all of you who have so generously given our family so much support. Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life."