Kate Garraway emotionally paid tribute to her husband Derek Draper and gushed that she was ‘so lucky’ to have him as she confirmed his death on Friday.
The Good Morning Britain host, 56, took to Instagram to share a heartfelt post announced the passing of her husband following a long battle with Covid.
She confirmed he had died at the age of 56 after suffering a heart attack before Christmas and thanked the medical teams who fought ‘so hard to save him’.
Kate also shared that she was by her husband’s side ‘holding his hand’ during his final hours and gushed that she was ‘so lucky’ to have him in her life.
She wrote: ‘I’m sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away.
Kate Garraway (pictured in November) paid tribute to her husband Derek Draper as she confirmed his death on Friday
Kate shared that she was by her husband’s side ‘holding his hand’ during his final hours as she penned an emotional tribute alongside a smiling picture of Derek
‘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.’
understands that Derek passed away on Wednesday night in a North London hospital. Kate said that he died surrounded by family.
Derek had been plagued with health woes after contracting Covid in 2020 and suffered a cardiac arrest in early December, with Kate spending Christmas at hospital.
The heartbreaking turn of events came after it was reported Derek was ‘in great spirits’ and looking forward to Christmas with his family.
A source told The Sun at the time: ‘It was sudden and a shock as he had been doing so well and was in great spirits, looking forward to Christmas at home with the family.
understands that Derek passed away on Wednesday night in a North London hospital. Kate said that he died surrounded by family (they are pictured in April 2009)
Derek had been plagued with health woes after contracting Covid in 2020 and suffered a cardiac arrest in early December (pictured in June with Kate’s parents Gordon and Marilyn)
‘This setback has been a huge blow for his family and all the people caring for him.
‘Kate has been utterly incredible — by his side while being an amazing mum to Darcey and Billy, and trying to manage their expectations of a family Christmas.’
Derek was in and out of hospital after he fell seriously ill with coronavirus at the very start of the pandemic in March 2020, and was left with lasting damage to his organs.
Doctors put him in a medically induced coma and he became the longest-suffering coronavirus patient in the UK after spending 13 months in hospital, apart from Kate and their two children.
However, he was readmitted several times with numerous health issues, including kidney failure, brain inflammation and liver damage.
Following the news about Derek’s ill health, Kate’s Good Morning Britain co-stars sent an emotional message of support.
Charlotte Hawkins told viewers: ‘We wanted to start with an update. You have seen that Derek, Kate’s husband, is sadly very poorly at the moment.
‘We want to let Derek, Kate and the whole family know we are thinking of them, and that we’re sending them our very best wishes’.
Richard Madeley added: ‘It is a very difficult time’, as Charlotte agreed: ‘Extremely difficult. Lots of love.’
Kate’s celebrity friends and fans also took to the comments section of her post to share their condolences and support following his death.
Susanna Reid wrote: ‘Our whole hearts are with you all’ while Alan Carr said: ‘Oh Kate that’s so awful. Sending you so much love and the deepest condolences’.
Coronation Street star Samia Longchambon wrote: ‘So sorry to hear this Kate. Sending love to you and your beautiful family.’
Lisa Snowdon penned: ‘Kate. Sending you all so much love and strength at this heartbreaking time. So cruel and so sad. RIP Derek.’
Following the news about Derek’s ill health, Kate’s Good Morning Britain co-stars sent an emotional message of support
Kate’s celebrity friends and fans also took to the comments section of her post to share their condolences and support
Kate and Derek (pictured at the National Television Awards in 2007) got married in September 2005
Carol Vorderman reached out to write: ‘Oh no Kate. I’m so very very sorry. Sending you and your beautiful family the deepest condolences’.
Author and journalist Bryony Gordon wrote: ‘I’m so so sorry Kate. Sending you and your children all my love xxxxx’
Kaye Adams wrote: ‘In every way, you have demonstrated the strength of love . So sorry x’, alongside TOWIE star Carol Wright’s tribute which read: ‘This is so sad, but he was lucky to have an amazing family who loved hm dearly. Rest in peace wonderful person. X ❤️’
Michelle Heaton wrote: ‘Oh Kate that’s so awful. Sending you so much love and the deepest condolences’ alongside Georgia Toffolo’s tribute, which read: ‘I’m so so sorry Kate…
‘I have such fond memories of Derek while he was waiting for you, while you were in the jungle. I loved the way he spoke of your love story. Thinking of you so much. X’