Derek Draper made a heartbreaking final request to his and Kate Garraway’s children – telling them to “look after” their mum.
The former politician passed away surrounded by his family aged 56 on Friday (January 5) – his devastated wife Kate announced the news on Instagram. Derek first fell ill in March 2020 when he contracted Covid in the early stages of the pandemic.
He was admitted to hospital and placed in a medically-induced coma. Despite eventually returning home, Covid had a long-lasting effect on Derek’s body.
READ MORE: Kate Garraway and Derek’s love story – first meeting to harrowing health battles
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He was left with permanent damage to his organs as well as several other health problems including kidney failure and inflammation of the brain. Over the next three years, Derek embarked on a lengthy battle with the virus which eventually led to his sad death.
(Image: Daily Star, Daily Mirror, Daily Express)
Kate, who has kept fans updated on his difficult journey, previously revealed the final moment Derek spoke to his kids before he went into a coma. The GMB presenter shares Darcey, 17, and 14-year-old Billy with the late Derek.
Before he was hospitalised, Kate came home and found Derek in a state of agony – suffering from a headache and a numbness in his right hand. He was also struggling to breathe.
(Image: ITV)
Worried, Kate phoned up Good Morning Britain colleague and friend Dr Hilary Jones for advice. She then called an ambulance and helped Derek down the stairs.
He was then taken to the ambulance, and with an oxygen mask, Derek spoke to his children for the final time. Despite the pain, he issued some agonising last words to his two beloved kids.
(Image: itv)
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“You’re the best children anyone could ask for. Look after mum, be good for her,” he told them.
Kate discussed the difficult journey she had been on when she first returned to GMB. She also explained how she tried to place all her focus on their strong children.
“They’ve been absolutely amazing and I’ve felt for the last 10 weeks I’ve had two jobs. Try and do the best for Derek as much as I can, she said.
“And I know what Derek would say to me is, ‘Don’t worry about me, look after them, it’s your job’. Whenever I’ve felt like going into the toilet and have a moment I know he’d be saying, ‘What are you doing you’re a mother get out there’.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
