Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper has sadly died after a long battle with Covid-19. He was 56 years old.
A devastated Kate took to Instagram to update her followers on her husband’s tragic passing, writing: “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.
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“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: James Gourley/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Tributes immediately started pouring in for Kate and their children, Darcy and Billy, who have tragically lost their father. Carol Vorderman led the tributes, telling Kate: “Oh no Kate. I’m so very very sorry. Sending you and your beautiful family the deepest condolences.”
Coronation Street star Samia Longchambon followed up: “So sorry to hear this Kate. Sending love to you and your beautiful family.” While Tamzin Outhwaite said: “Oh Kate, so sorry. Sending you all so much love and strength.”
(Image: itv)
Derek was confirmed to have been in “very serious condition” in hospital two weeks ago, with GMB hosts Charlotte Hawkins and Richard Madeley sharing their concerns on air. Charlotte told viewers: “We wanted to start with an update. You may have seen in the news over the weekend that Derek, Kate’s husband, is sadly in a very serious condition at the moment.”
Co-host Richard Madeley said: “We just want to let Derek, Kate and of course the whole family know we are all here thinking of them, and we know many of you are as well, and that all of us send them our very, very best wishes at what is a very, very difficult time.”
(Image: INTERNET)
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At 56, Derek was the country’s longest suffering Covid patient after spending 13 months in hospital before returning home in April 2021. Once home, he needed 24-hour care from nursing staff and has been in and out of hospital. Kate spent thousands adapting the family home to suit his needs.
The virus caused brain inflammation, kidney failure, and liver and pancreas damage. One of Derek’s brain scan last year showed white patches, usually seen in patients with vascular dementia.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
