Long-time foes Denise Welch and Piers Morgan may have clashed several times over recent years but both stars are in agreement that Katie Hopkins’ latest stunt is ‘disgusting’

Denise Welch has become the latest celebrity to condemn Katie Hopkins following the right-wing mouthpiece’s vile attack on Kate Garraway.

The Loose Women presenter joined the likes of long-time foe Piers Morgan in calling Hopkins’ latest vile stunt out, after the disgraced Apprentice candidate mocked grieving Good Morning Britain presenter Kate over the weekend.

Hopkins – who was sacked by LBC in 2017 after making disgusting comments soon after the Manchester Arena bombing – sparked fury online on Saturday, when she impersonated Kate and made light of her husband Derek Draper’s recent death in a vile social media video.

Piers, who worked with Kate on Good Morning Britain prior to his 2021 exit, branded Hopkins’ remarks “despicable” on Monday, with former Coronation Street actress Denise also slamming Hopkins later in the day.

Kate Garraway announced the death of her beloved husband Derek Draper earlier this month ( 
Image:
James Gourley/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Katie Hopkins’ vile post mocking the Good Morning Britain star has been reported by many Twitter users ( 
Image:
X/@KTHopkins)

Replying to a report on Twitter (X) documenting the reaction to Hopkins “mocking grieving Kate Garraway, days after the death of her husband Derek Draper”, Denise wrote: “Absolutely disgusting!! And this a person that was given her own tv show!!! I got trolled for saying it was a disgrace!!!!”

Derek, a former political lobbyist, was one of the worst affected Covid patients globally after contracting the virus in March 2020. His wife Kate bravely balanced her broadcasting career with caring for him for three years, but sadly he passed away on January 3 at the age of 56.

Smooth FM DJ Kate has received an outpouring of support from fans and fellow celebrities since announcing her husband’s death, with many praising the mum-of-two for documenting Derek’s battle through two ITV documentaries over the last three years, shedding light on the struggles of long Covid victims.

Hopkins, who was previously banned from Twitter (X) in 2020 but has since been reinstated by new owner Elon Musk, has taken a different approach to the news of someone’s death – instead opting to mock and taunt Derek’s widow and imply she will soon be taking on work related to her husband’s death.

Despite some Twitter users liking and retweeting Hopkins’ distasteful video, many have reported it to Twitter and criticised the tasteless skit. “So, that vile and sickening witch Katie Hopkins is back, showing up on my timeline, mocking and laughing at Kate Garraway and recently deceased husband Derek,” one person wrote over the weekend. “She is so grotesque to post that video and I urge you all to report it. She can’t get away with it.”

In the controversial video, Hopkins was seen taking sips of red wine while cruelly mimicking Kate, laughing as she suggested ITV would give her a TV special and a book deal to talk about Derek’s sad passing. The right-wing grifter faced a backlash after posting the video on TikTok and Twitter, but responding to some of her critics on Saturday, Hopkins showed no regret for her actions.

Responding to a Twitter user who told her: “Weaponising someone’s tragic death for your grift. Stay classy,” Hopkins – who was allowed back on Twitter (X) by Elon Musk after he bought the site – wrote: “Literally what Garraway has been doing for two years. Stay chubby. Avoid reading about #ExcessDeaths.”

After being called a “disgraceful person” on Twitter, the former businesswoman, Hopkins, said: “I have a lot of time for the Church of the Forgiving Eagle. I regularly attend the Chapel of the Hungry Beaver.” When someone told her she went too far making fun of Kate, Hopkins answered: “There is. And what a marvellous line … many assume their line should dictate the line of others. Strangely lefty ‘comedians’ don’t have to worry about a line…”

Kate announced the sad news about her husband Derek’s death on Instagram on 5th January, telling her followers: “I’m sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away. As some of you may know he has been critically ill following a cardiac arrest in early December which, because of the damage inflicted by Covid in March 2020, led to further complications.”

“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.”