Kate Garraway says only polling card she received was for late husband Derek Draper

Kate Garraway has revealed that the only polling card posted to her home was for her deceased husband Derek Draper.

The Good Morning Britain presenter said she feared her 18-year-old daughter would not be able to vote for the first time because she did not register in time.

On Thursday morning’s show, Ms Garraway interviewed Alex Thomas, a programme director at the Institute for Government think tank, about voting practicalities for the general election.

Asking him “what happens if you haven’t registered to vote”, she said: “So I’m in a situation, I was very excited about it, I thought my daughter and I – who’s turned 18 recently – can go and vote for the first time.

“She’s now saying she doesn’t think she did properly register. The polling cards that have come through the door, I haven’t had one for myself or her, the only polling card that has come through the door is for Derek, sadly, who’s passed away.

“Is there any way round that situation… what do you do about registration at this late date?”

Mr Thomas said: “It’s too late now unfortunately to register to vote.”

While it is necessary to have registered, individuals do not need their polling card – a piece of paper sent in advance with a person’s polling number and details of their local polling station – to be able to vote.

It is not clear whether Ms Garraway is registered or not.

Ms Garraway was married to Mr Draper, a former New Labour adviser who retrained as a psychotherapist.

He died in January at the age of 56, nearly four years after contracting Covid-19. The virus caused extensive damage to his organs, resulting in him being hospitalised for 13 months and requiring daily care until his death.

Ms Garraway has previously spoken about receiving “unsettling” post for Mr Draper since his death.