Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper, 56, dies after prolonged Covid well being battle

Kate Garraway‘s beloved husband Derek Draper has died on the age of 56, the TV star has introduced.

The Good Morning Britain presenter took to social media to let folks know the unhappy information this morning, sharing how her beloved husband was surrounded by his family members as he handed away.

Kate, who had been by Derek’s aspect over Christmas following her husband’s coronary heart assault final month, thanked “all of you who have so generously given our family so much support” as she shared the stated information her husband’s nearly four-year battle to get better from Covid-19 has come to an finish. 

Captioning an image of her late husband, Kate instructed her Instagram 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.”

The former political advisor and lobbyist, who shared two youngsters with Good Morning Britain presenter Kate, fought an extremely courageous and prolonged battle towards Covid-19, after first being hospitalised with the virus in March 2020.

Derek fell right into a coma in the beginning of the worldwide pandemic and was placed on a ventilator – turning into Britain’s longest struggling Covid-19 sufferer as he spent 13 months in hospital. The dad-of-two returned house from hospital in April 2021 however nonetheless required care and help, as he struggled to return to full well being following first contracting the viral illness.

In December, Kate pulled out of all her work commitments as a way to be Derek’s aspect following the previous lobbyist struggling a coronary heart assault. As Derek fought for his life, Kate’s Smooth FM colleagues issued a number of updates and despatched their like to their co-star’s household.

Jenni Falconer instructed listeners on 19 December: “On behalf of everybody right here at Smooth we’re sending a number of love and Smooth greatest needs to our very personal Kate Garraway. Kate’s husband Derek as everyone knows has been battling long-lasting harm since he suffered from covid and it does not look good in the mean time. it does not appear to be he’s in a great way. So we’re sending a number of like to Kate, Derek and the household… particularly presently of the 12 months.”

Kate’s Good Morning Britain family also sent their love to their co-star and her loved ones in December, with Susann Reid writing on social media: “Sending all my love and power to @kategarraway and Derek. Two of the strongest folks I do know,” alongside a red heart emoji.

As Good Morning Britain opened on Monday 18 December, Kate was noticeably absent, co-star Charlotte Hawkins said: “We wished to begin with an replace. You have seen that Derek, Kate’s husband, is unfortunately very poorly in the mean time. We wish to let Derek, Kate and the entire household know we’re pondering of them, and that we’re sending them our highest needs.”

Kate documented Derek’s bid to recover with two documentaries focused on her husband’s health, with the broadcaster winning a National Television Award in 2021 for her feature Finding Derek. The mum-of-two opened up about the reality of caring for a loved one and the state of social care in the United Kingdom as she collected the honour two years ago.

She instructed reporters on the star-studded occasion: “There is a lot of challenges that we’re facing now. I am now experiencing being a carer, and the challenges that are there. We all know social care has been in the headlines for lots of reasons and for lots of reasons people need support with health and social care.” An emotional Kate went on so as to add: “There are definitely more stories to tell. Let’s hope that Derek’s voice will be giving those stories. We know he’s in there. We just have to get him out.”

In December this 12 months, as it was reported that Kate had pulled out of all her TV and radio work commitments following Derek struggling a coronary heart assault, it was claimed the dad-of-two’s flip for the more severe had come as a shock to his family members.

“Everyone is praying for a miracle,” a supply stated on the time. “Everyone is praying for a miracle. Derek suffered a massive heart attack earlier this week which has left him fighting for his life all over again. It was a sudden shock as he had been doing so well and was in great spirits, looking forward to Christmas at home with the family. This setback has been a huge blow for his family and all the people caring for him.”

Kate had beforehand stated she had been hoping to have a relaxed Christmas, although Derek went into hospital to have some therapy in early December. The broadcaster shared: “I’ve managed to get it in before the end of the year. It’s something we were trying to do in the summer but you know there are referrals and time and all of those things.”

The Good Morning Britain presenter and Derek had been hoping to host the entire household at their house in North London, with Kate saying: “It’s a practical solution because it’s quite challenging for Derek to travel. So it’s easier for people to come to us, which means they have to suffer my cooking!”

Born in Chorley, Lancashire, Derek studied at Runshaw College in Leyland earlier than persevering with his research on the University of Manchester. During his time at college, Derek kick-started his political profession because of offering hospitality for Ken Livingstone, who had missed his prepare after a Labour Club assembly.

Officially starting his political profession in 1990 because the constituency secretary for Nick Brown, Derek went on to work as a researcher for the then MP for Hartlepool Peter Mandelson. In 1996, the late dad-of-two turned a director of a lobbying agency known as GPC Market Access, and was employed by them till early 1999.

Derek’s profession additionally noticed him work because the Political Editor of the Modern Review, host a present on Talk Radio, briefly write a column for the Daily Express and writer two books, Blair’s 100 Days and Life Support. After leaving the world of politics behind, Derek retrained as a psychotherapist, acquiring an MA in scientific psychology.

He is survived by his spouse Kate, whom he married in 2005, and their two youngsters, Darcey and Billy.

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