Kate Garraway reportedly embarked on a desperate 12-hour flight home from Mexico with husband Derek Draper in a bid to save his life after he had heart attack weeks before his death.
The brave Good Morning Britain star, 56, is said to have endured “eight gruelling weeks” after taking Derek for specialist treatment across the other side of the world. She later returned to home to be with their children Darcey, 17, and 14-year-old Billy and hoped to attend their pal Piers Morgan’s Christmas party alongside Derek.
However, while getting a connecting flight inside Mexico in early December, Kate was informed her spouse had suffered cardiac arrest. Derek was stabilised and put on a medical-evacuation plane for the long trip home.
READ MORE: Want more showbiz? Daily Star has just the thing for you!
READ MORE: Want more TV? Daily Star has just the thing for you!
Kate was by his side for the 12-hour flight and she and their children then spent Christmas with Derek in a London hospital before he sadly passed away on Wednesday (January 3 aged 56.. A source told The Sun on Sunday: “Derek and Kate made the trip to Mexico in November. They did it without fanfare as they didn’t want to get up everyone’s hopes. The treatment went incredibly well, and his doctor and all the consultants were hugely optimistic about his long-term progress, and future.” However, Derek suffered a cardiac arrest as Kate planned to bring Derek back home.
(Image: James Gourley/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
The source continued: “Under his UK doctor’s guidance, he was flown home by medevac to be put in intensive care at a London hospital. This in itself was a huge undertaking and ordeal. Unfortunately, despite the doctors in Mexico getting his heart beating stably again, Covid damage meant further complications ultimately affected his chance of recovery.”
Kate shared the heartbreaking news of Derek’s passing with fans on her Instagram page on Friday (January 5). The TV presenter wrote: “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.”
(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
“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.”
(Image: Mirrorpix)
Join the Daily Star Soaps WhatsApp for all the latest spoilers and exclusives
Kate has been flooded with love and kind words after sharing the sad news about her husband. Her friend and co-star Ben Shephard posted a touching tribute online, saying: “On what has been the saddest of days @kategarraway I’ve been reminding myself of the wonderful times and memories we have all shared together. This is how I’ll always think of Derek – bringing you so much joy, your smile says it all, the size of which is matched only by his love for you, Darcey and Bill. Sending all our love Kate to you and all the family.”
* This article was crafted with the help of an AI tool, which speeds up Daily Star’s editorial research. An editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to starletters@dailystar.co.uk
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
