KATE Garraway will gather with friends and family for the funeral of her “darling” husband Derek Draper.
Derek’s funeral is taking place in North London today, four weeks after he died aged 56 following a near four-year Covid battle.
Kate Garraway will gather with friends and family for the funeral of her husband Derek Draper today
Derek suffered devastating health problems after contracting Covid in 2020Credit: ITV
Derek with children Darcey and Billy in 2019Credit: Rex
TV star Kate recently put on a brave face as she was pictured for the first time since Derek’s death.
The Good Morning Britain host, 56, managed a smile as she got a hug from a friend.
A source said Kate has been “stoically trying to hold things together” for the sake of her and Derek’s two children.
They added: “She has been an absolute rock.
“Funeral arrangements are time-consuming and painful but the day will be a joyous celebration of a wonderful man.”
The presenter’s husband tragically passed away while holding her hand after a four-year health struggle brought on by Covid.
Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life.
Kate Garraway
Kate had adapted the family’s home so it could be more accessible and easier for Derek to get around – spending countless hours by her husband’s side supporting him.
But tragically Derek was taken to hospital at the end of last year when he had a cardiac arrest.
Strong Kate Garraway then made a desperate 12-hour flight to the UK with her husband in a bid to save his life.
Despite her best efforts and support Kate revealed the heartbreaking news of Derek’s death on Instagram.
In an emotional statement, she said: “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.
We are taking time to heal ourselves, now that Darcey and Billy know their Daddy is at peace and free from pain and struggle.
Kate Garraway
“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.”
Just days after his death, Kate shared a touching tribute to Derek on GMB.
In the statement, Kate said: “Hello everyone. Thank you all so much for all the wonderful messages you have sent me.
“It really does mean so much to me, Darcey, Billy, and all of Derek’s family.”
And she added: “We are taking time to heal ourselves, now that Darcey and Billy know their Daddy is at peace and free from pain and struggle.”
Kate recently put on a brave face as she was pictured for the first time since Derek’s deathCredit: Splash
Kate’s documentaries showed her remarkable devotion to DerekCredit: ITV
Derek Draper’s four-year health battle
- March 30, 2020: Derek is rushed unresponsive to hospital with Covid.
- April 24:Â He is put into an induced coma.
- June 5:Â Kate reveals Derek is Covid-free but his body suffered damage.
- July 5:Â He awakens from a deep coma but remains “minimally conscious”.
- September 6:Â Kate then reveals Derek lost eight stone and cannot speak.
- September 29:Â Derek becomes the longest-suffering Covid patient after spending 184 days in hospital.
- October 30:Â Wakes from coma and speaks for the first time in seven months.
- October 31:Â He is finally taken off ventilator after 214 days in hospital.
- January 7, 2021:Â Kate reveals kids got to visit Derek at Christmas – the first time since he was hospitalised.
- April 9:Â Derek returns home after over a year but needs full-time care.
- May 4:Â He is able to converse more.
- December 22:Â Pictured in public for the first time at a panto.
- February 21, 2022:Â Kate says they secretly flew to Mexico for a medical trial.
- July 6:Â Derek is rushed back to hospital.
- August 1:Â He is in intensive care with “life-threatening” sepsis.
- June 28, 2023:Â He sees wife Kate made MBE.
- October 8:Â Kate reveals Derek is “not doing great” after an infection.
- November 23:Â In hospital for treatment to help with movement.
- December 11:Â Taken ill and suffers heart attack.