[Red Moon]

Kate Garraway sues over Strictly Come Dancing partner allegations

GMTV presenter Kate Garraway is suing The Sunday Mirror after it published allegations about her friendship with Strictly Come Dancing partner Anton Du Beke.

Garraway, who is married to former Labour adviser turned psychotherapist Derek Draper, said she was “extremely upset and distressed” by allegations made by the tabloid last weekend.

In a statement released by her lawyers, Garraway quashed suggestions her marriage was in trouble.

“Contrary to these insinuations, Derek and I are as faithful, happy and in love today as we have ever been. The plain truth is that Anton and I became friends during Strictly Come Dancing. Since then we often work and hang out together. For that to be twisted into something else is sad, hurtful and totally untrue.”

Through London legal firm Schillings, a defamation specialist, Garraway yesterday issued proceedings in the High Court against MGN Limited, the publisher of The Sunday Mirror. She is seeking “substantial damages”.

The TV presenter said she felt she had no other option but to take legal action.

“I am extremely upset and hurt by the allegations. I made it clear before publication that there was no truth to them whatsoever. Given they were published in any event and continue to be published, I feel I have no option but to take libel proceedings against the newspaper to set the record straight.”

Yesterday, Draper spoke of his wife’s friendship with Du Beke and said he supported Garraway’s decision to sue.

“Anton is a great bloke and I am sorry that his and Kate’s friendship has been distorted like this. It is terribly damaging to all our reputations and the people responsible should not get away with such behaviour which is why Kate is suing them for a retraction, an apology and damages.”

Garraway married Draper in September 2005 and gave birth to their daughter, Darcey, in early 2006.

She met Du Beke when she was paired with him on Strictly Come Dancing last year. They performed together on the BBC ballroom dancing show for six weeks before being voted off.

A spokesperson for The Sunday Mirror declined to comment.

Source: The Times