Kate Garraway gave a loving tribute to her late husband before Sir Elton John reduced the congregation to tears as he sang an early hit at Derek Draper’s ‘heart-wrenching’ funeral today.
The Good Morning Britain host wore her husband’s watch ‘so that she could carry a little piece of him on the day’ at the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Primrose Hill, where the couple married 18 years ago.
Kate was with her ‘brave’ two children. Darcey, 17, helped carry her father’s coffin to and from the altar and son William, 13, known to friends and family as Billy, holding his mother’s hand throughout. The children left notes on wreaths on the coffin, which said: ‘I love you with all my heart’ and ‘I love you dad’.
A source close to Kate said: ‘Kate wore Derek’s watch so that she could carry a little piece of him on the day, and everyone was, of course, so kind to her. Quite simply, the public outpouring of support has kept her going. It was a heart-wrenching day, but an incredible send-off for a wonderful man’.
The funeral fell on Candlemas Day, meaning the congregation left holding candles, which were lit in the church as Sir Elton performed Skyline Pigeon – the B-side to 1972 hit Daniel – ‘in tribute to Derek’. Its poignant lyrics include: ‘Turn me loose from your hands, let me fly to distant lands, over green fields, trees and mountains, home along the lanes of the skyway’.
The order of service also paid tribute to the singer, who had become a ‘dear friend’ and ‘supported them right from the very first day’ that Derek had fallen ill with Covid-19 at the start of the pandemic in 2020.
There was also a speech by friend Sir Tony Blair and the congregation, which also included David Furnish, Sir Keir Starmer and a host of past and present Good Morning Britain presenters, sang Lord of the Dance and The Lord is My Shepherd.
Kate Garraway and her family arrives for the funeral of her husband, who died aged 56. Kate wore her husband’s watch ‘so that she could carry a little piece of him’
Kate Garraway and her children leave St Mary’s Church in Primrose Hill hand in hand today after a service described as ‘an incredible send-off for a wonderful man’
Darcey Draper, the daughter of Derek Draper and Kate Garraway, carries her father’s coffin after the funeral mass
Sir Elton John waves to the crowds as he leaves after the funeral service with husband David Furnish where he performed
Following a committal service that lasted almost 90 minutes, close family led by Kate and her children followed the hearse to a private burial.
Kate emerged from the church clutching the hands of her children. A ripple of applause broke out from the small crowd outside the church as four vehicles carrying close family followed the hearse.
An insider told The Sun: ‘Kate, Darcey and Billy were so, so strong throughout, and would have been hugely touched by the incredible turn-out; it was testament to Derek’s popularity in every area of his life’.
Kate Garraway left Derek’s funeral clutching her son’s hand and a candle, following the coffin carried by Darcey and five other pallbearers. Derek then took his final journey to a private burial.
Family, friends and a host of A-listers gathered to remember the New Labour lobbyist turned psychotherapist died aged 56 after a long battle with Covid-19.
Sir Elton arrived at the packed north London church with his husband David Furnish, shortly after Myleene Klass. Sir Tony Blair and Sir Keir Starmer were amongst the big names from the world of politics. Derek Draper worked for New Labour for many years, including for former boss Peter Mandelson, who also attended.
Kate’s past and present Good Morning Britain colleagues were also out in force to support her on a tragic day. Ben Shephard and Susanna Reid were amongst the first to arrive followed by Piers Morgan and Charlotte Hawkins. Fiona Phillips was seen in public with her ITV exec husband Martin Frizell for the first time since she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Kate Garraway leaves the funeral service, holding the hand of her son William, after the funeral service
Derek Draper’s coffin was carried from the church, with his daughter Darcey being one of the pallbearers (front right)
Griefstricken Kate Garraway, stood next her daughter Darcey, as family, friends and colleagues said goodbye to Derek Draper
A tearful Kate chose to hold her young son William’s hand as they enter the church
The couple’s daughter Darcey was among the six pallbearers, bravely carrying her father on his final journey
Kate was supported by a huge group of friends and family at today’s service
Kate looks bereft as she looks down from the hearse as it arrived this morning
Kate Garraway watches Derek Draper’s coffin enter the church for his funeral today
Kate Garraway follows the coffin of her husband, Derek Draper
Kate and Derek in happier times at the National Television Awards in 2007 – two years after they married
Ms Garraway clutched the hands of her two children as they waited for the coffin to arrive outside the church, which was packed with some of Britain’s most famous people.
Kate’s teenage daughter Darcey was among the six pallbearers. The GMB presenter tightly clutched her son William’s hand as they followed the coffin, briefly looking to the sky.
Garraway, 56, wearing a long black coat and pearl necklace, entered the church and and greeted guests ahead of Draper being laid to rest and family followed behind.
Derek’s death following a long battle with Covid-19 moved the nation and today’s funeral was packed with big names who were friends and colleagues of him and his wife.
Labour leader Keir Starmer arrived after Ed Miliband and MP turned TV star Ed Balls also came to say farewell along with former Number 10 director of communications Alastair Campbell.
Journalist Robert Peston, talent manager Jonathan Shalit, former political editor of GMTV and ex-Labour MP Gloria De Piero and former Sky News political editor Adam Boulton also headed into the church.
Myleene Klass, who has previously stepped in to host Garraway’s Smooth Radio show was also among the mourners.
Sir Elton and his husband David Furnish looked upset as they arrived in the church.
The musician had previously invited Draper and Garraway to be his guests of honour at his Farewell Yellow Brick Road concert at London’s O2 Arena last year.
A hearse was waiting outside to carry Derek on his final journey, as Kate and her family followed
Cherie Blair and Former PM Tony Blair depart the funeral
Myleene Klass looked demure as she left the funeral this afternoon
ITV stars Richard Madeley, Adil Ray and Ranvir Singh leave the funeral
Mr Draper’s former boss, Lord Mandelson, paid his respects
The order of service to remember the life of Mr Draper
Mr Draper was among the first in the UK to fall seriously ill with Covid-19 and was admitted to an intensive care unit as the country entered lockdown in March 2020.
READ MORE: Her love kept him alive: Derek Draper’s resilience, paired with Kate Garraway’s endless love and courage, inspired millions, writes CHRISTOPHER STEVENS
He was one of the country’s longest-suffering Covid patients after being in hospital but never fully recovered after the virus left long-lasting damage to his organs and meant he needed round-the-clock care.
Derek had attended few public events over the last few years.
But he suffered a heart attack before Christmas and never recovered. Kate revealed Derek died as she held his hand ‘throughout the last long hours and when he passed’ on January 3 aged 56 after suffering long-lasting symptoms from coronavirus.
The Good Morning Britain star, 56, announced the death of her husband of 18 years on Instagram and said: ‘Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life.’
Derek suffered a heart attack before Christmas following a long battle with Covid.
Kate, who had two children with Derek, Darcey, 17, and their youngest, Billy, 11, said: ‘I’m sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away.
‘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’.
She added: ‘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.
‘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.’
Kate stands with his daughter Darcey before the 17-year-old helped carry the coffin
Sir Elton John and David Furnish were among the big names at Derek Draper’s funeral
Sir Tony Blair and his wife Cherie also came to say their goodbyes. Derek worked for new Labour for many years
Kate’s Good Morning Britain colleagues Ben Shephard and Susanna Reid were amongst the first to arrive at the north London church.
Piers Morgan leaves the funeral service
Fiona Phillips and her ITV exec husband Martin Frizell also attended the service. Fiona was seen for the first time since she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s
Kate Garraway outside the funeral service of her husband
Kate revealed last month that she had held Derek’s hand as he died
The hearse arrives at St Mary the Virgin church in Primrose Hill
Kate and her grief-stricken family watch as the coffin leaves the hearse
Kate looked down to read the
Kate Garraway follows the coffin into the funeral service of her husband Derek Draper at St Mary the Virgin church in Primrose Hill
Kate looks towards other mourners as they wait for Derek’s coffin
Kate Garraway speaks to the priest as she enters the curch
Myleene Klass was among the big names to attend the sad event
Broadcaster and journalist Piers Morgan, former host of GMB, attended with his wife Celia Walden
Richard Arnold and Charlotte Hawkins came to say a final farewell
Peter Mandelson, Derek’s former boss at New Labour, came to say his final farewell
GMB weather presenters Alex Beresford and Laura Tobin arrived together
GMB presenter Sean Fletcher and Robert Rinder walk into the church
Roman Kemp was also in the congregation
ITV broadcaster Robert Peston was among journalists invited
Keir Starmer, Ed Balls and Ed Miliband attends the funeral service of Derek Draper
New Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell arrives
Boris Johnson’s brother Jo also came to pay his respects
Former Labour MP Tristram Hunt, now head of the V&A
Former Sky News Political Editor Adam Boulton (right) was ahead of Mr Peston
Derek Draper’s funeral at St Mary the Virgin Church, Primrose Hill
Derek Draper in 2021 with his wife Kate and children Darcey and Billy after returning home from hospital, where he was Britain’s longest suffering covid patient. He died aged 56
Kate revealed she was holding her husband’s hand when he died
Mr Draper was a former researcher for Blairite Peter Mandelson who became a New Labour spin doctor and later retrained as a psychotherapist after a series of political and lobbying scandals.
READ MORE: Derek Draper: The New Labour spin doctor who won heart of Kate Garraway
Derek and Kate on their wedding day in 2005
Former prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown led tributes. Mr Brown tweeted: ‘So sad that after such a brave struggle Derek Draper has lost his life as a result of Covid. I will remember him as brilliant, creative and multitalented, and our thoughts are with Kate, Darcey and Billy. RIP Derek’.
He suffered a massive heart attack in December and passed away in a North London hospital.
Kate said that he died surrounded by family and his passing led to several friends and former colleagues breaking down on live TV when the sad news broke.
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.
Ms Garraway and Mr Draper married in 2005.
A prominent figure in New Labour in the 1990s, Mr Draper worked for Blairite Peter Mandelson and set up the Progress organisation with Liam Byrne, who went on to become an MP.
After he was embroiled in the so-called ‘cash-for-access’ scandal, dubbed ‘lobbygate’, he travelled to the United States, where he retrained as a psychotherapist.
In 2021, Ms Garraway won a prize at the National Television Awards for the documentary Finding Derek, about her family’s experience during the pandemic.
It detailed her husband’s treatment and his subsequent return to their family home.
In July 2022, Garraway confirmed Mr Draper had been readmitted to hospital and later that month it was reported that his condition had worsened.
Derek, 56, who has been plagued with health woes after contracting Covid in 2020, was said to be in a critical condition (pictured in June with Kate’s parents Gordon and Marilyn after his wife collected her MBE)
Derek and Kate on their wedding day in 2005 as they gave their vows
Derek, 56, returned home from hospital after 13 months but he never fully recovered (pictured with his family in their garden)
Kate Garraway spent Christmas in hospital after Derek was left fighting for his life as he suffered a heart attack
Derek Draper (circled) is seen standing next to Labour grandees including Neil Kinnock, John Prescott and Peter Mandelson (right). The footage was in BBC2’s The Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty
Kate Garraway with her family after taking part in I’m a Celebrity in 2019
Derek, 56, was fighting for his life since a heart attack in early December
Derek was catastrophically ill in hospital after becoming one of the first people to catch covid
He returned home to be with his family but fell seriously ill last month and died this week
READ MORE: How Derek Draper fought long Covid for years after he caught it age 52 and was left in a coma and battling sepsis
His battle with the virus won much attention and support, including from former prime minister Boris Johnson and the royal family.
Former lobbyist and political adviser Mr Draper was part of one of Britain’s most prominent media power couples.
The New Labour spin doctor reached great heights of influence in the 1990s but became best known for his involvement in the ‘lobbygate’ scandal.
A former researcher for Blairite Peter Mandelson, Mr Draper became a director of lobbying firm GPC Market Access in 1996 and set up the New Labour organisation Progress with Liam Byrne, who went on to become an MP.
It was while working at GPC that Mr Draper was caught on tape boasting to an undercover journalist of his government connections.
In one of the first sleaze scandals to hit Tony Blair’s fledgling administration, he reportedly claimed: ‘There are 17 people who count in this government, and to say I am intimate with all of them is the understatement of the century.’
Mr Draper insisted he had done nothing wrong in the so-called ‘cash for access’ scandal dubbed ‘lobbygate’ but admitted he did have a ‘big mouth’.
The incident appeared to spell the end of any bigger political ambitions for the famously champagne-swilling New Labour stalwart and he travelled to the United States, where he trained as a psychotherapist.
A former researcher for Blairite Peter Mandelson, Mr Draper became a director of lobbying firm GPC Market Access in 1996 and set up the New Labour organisation Progress with Liam Byrne, who went on to become an MP. Above: Mr Draper in 1998
Derek Draper in San Francisco where he set up home after leaving politics
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Keir Starmer and Tony Blair joined a host of the Labour elite turning out to say goodbye to Derek Draper today.
The current leader and former PM were among those attending the funeral for the New Labour stalwart.
Ed Miliband, Ed Balls, Lord Mandelson and Alastair Campbell – who all worked closely with Mr Draper in the Blair era – were also present to pay tribute.
Mr Draper’s wife Kate Garraway, family and friends gathered at the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Primrose Hill. He died last month aged 56 after years battling the effects of Covid.
Sir Tony described the one-time political adviser as a ruthless political operative and ‘an important part of the New Labour story’.
Keir Starmer and Tony Blair, with wife Cherie, joined a host of the Labour elite turning out to say goodbye to Derek Draper today
Former No10 spin chief Alastair Campbell was among the mourners at the funeral today
Ed Miliband (right) and Ed Balls (left) – who all worked closely with Mr Draper in the Blair era – were also present to pay tribute
‘He was a tough, sometimes ruthless political operative, a brilliant adviser and someone you always wanted on your side,’ he said last month.
‘But underneath that tough exterior he was a loving, kind, generous and good natured man you wanted as a friend.’