More woe for GMTV's Kate Garraway as parking officials crush her car

11 April 2012
The Weekender

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Crushed: GMTV's Kate Garraway's woes continue after she learned her beloved VW Beetle car was crushed as the tax was out of date

The 39-year-old Strictly Come Dancing star, had been unable to drive after getting tendonitis as a result of her strenuous rehearsals.

She had left it round the corner from her North London home while she got lifts from friends, but apparently Kate did not realise was the tax was overdue.

When the untaxed vehicle was spotted by a warden, in accordance with DVLA procedure it was it clamped. And because it was not taxed 24 hours after that, it was taken to a car pound.

Kate failed to collect it, and a week later it was crushed.

A friend of the GMTV star told The Sun: "Kate has been in agony with tendonitis and was banned from driving by her doctor.

"She couldn't even walk, let alone drive.

"She didn't even know it had been taken until a few days ago and really thought it was still at the pound.

"Kate is gutted, she really loved that car, it must be worth about £10,000 and there were personal items in it.

"She understands she was negligent, but it's due to everything that's going on."

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Dancing queen: Kate has had a troubled start to Strictly Come Dancing but managed to stay in the competition after her first dance

This is the latest in a catalogue of woes for Kate, who narrowly escaped elimination from the dance competition after a poorly scored first dance due to a crippling foot injury, and has been hobbling on crutches.

She has had to numb her feet with regular ice packs to relieve the pain combined with physiotherapy at half-hour intervals in order to cope with the strenuous routines which inflicted her with her injury.

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Hobbling: Kate has been hobbling on crutches after the strenuous dance routines gave her tendonitis which prevented her from driving

And earlier this year the 39-year-old presenter angered neighbours after building a £50,000 nursery for her 19-month-old daughter, before she had been granted planning permission.

Her furious neighbours complained it flouted conservation guidelines and blocked their view.

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House trouble: Kate Garraway and husband Derek Draper's unapproved extension angered neighbours, putting it right cost them another £50,000

But plucky Kate, who has an 18-month-old daughter Darcey with former Labour spin-doctor husband Derek Draper, 38, spoke recently of her chances in the competition.

She said: "The girls are exceptional this year and I am the least rehearsed and even before all this the least experienced."

"I really just want to put on a frock and enjoy this after all the crutches."

Survivor: Kate hopes to survive to compete in the latter stage of the competition - and to wear a nice frock

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