Wed. Nov 6th, 2024
alert-–-kate-garraway’s-son-billy,-14,-shares-tear-jerking-moment-with-his-dad-derek-draper-as-he-looks-after-him-at-his-bedside-in-new-documentaryAlert – Kate Garraway’s son Billy, 14, shares tear-jerking moment with his dad Derek Draper as he looks after him at his bedside in new documentary

Kate Garraway’s 14-year-old son Billy shares a tender moment with his dad Derek Draper in the upcoming documentary about his life and health battle.

On Tuesday, Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story, will air on ITV, chronicling the former political lobbyist’s final year of life before his death in January aged 56. 

Filmed in May 2023, the episode, which has been praised by critics, confronts the reality of Derek’s struggles and the effect on those around him in never-before-seen images and footage. 

In one tender scene, Kate, 56, is celebrating her birthday and suggests that Billy and Derek look at some of the cards she has been sent as they look after him at his bedside.

Billy first reads one card before Derek can be seen reading out another of the cards, and smiling at the sweet message as he says: ‘It’s from the neighbour Maggie.’ 

Kate Garraway 's 14-year-old son Billy shares a tender moment with his dad Derek Draper in the upcoming documentary about his life and health battle

Kate Garraway ‘s 14-year-old son Billy shares a tender moment with his dad Derek Draper in the upcoming documentary about his life and health battle

In one tender scene, Kate, 56, is celebrating her birthday and suggests that Billy and Derek look at some of the cards she has been sent as they look after him at his bedside

In one tender scene, Kate, 56, is celebrating her birthday and suggests that Billy and Derek look at some of the cards she has been sent as they look after him at his bedside

Billy then gently jokes: ‘Well read it out, you can’t just say who it’s from!’ 

Derek then starts laughing, before appearing to become emotional as he lays in the bed.

In a tear-jerking moment, Billy then leans down and kisses his father on the shoulder before leaving the room.

Just after Kate and Derek then share a sweet moment as they say ‘I love you’ to each other.

Derek is seen becoming frustrated as he struggles to communicate while attempting to read one of her birthday messages. 

Kate then tells the political advisor she ‘loves him’ but is met by a long pause before encouraging him to say it back.

Watching the scene back during Tuesday’s Good Morning Britain, Kate explained: ‘The way you show love, he couldn’t do. 

‘He felt disempowered to show to love, he couldn’t communicate. We were having to relearn this dynamic. 

Billy first reads one card before Derek can be seen reading out another of the cards, and smiling at the sweet message as he says: 'It's from the neighbour Maggie'

Billy first reads one card before Derek can be seen reading out another of the cards, and smiling at the sweet message as he says: ‘It’s from the neighbour Maggie’

Billy then gently jokes: ‘Well read it out, you can’t just say who it’s from!’ Derek then starts laughing, before appearing to become emotional as he lays in the bed

In a tearjerking moment, Billy then leans down and kisses his father on the shoulder before leaving the room

In a tearjerking moment, Billy then leans down and kisses his father on the shoulder before leaving the room

Just after Kate and Derek then share a sweet moment as they say 'I love you' to each other

Just after Kate and Derek then share a sweet moment as they say ‘I love you’ to each other 

Kate then tells the political advisor she 'loves him' but is met by a long pause before encouraging him to say it back

Kate then tells the political advisor she ‘loves him’ but is met by a long pause before encouraging him to say it back 

Watching the scene back during Tuesday's Good Morning Britain, Kate explained: 'He felt disempowered to show to love, he couldn't communicate'

Watching the scene back during Tuesday’s Good Morning Britain, Kate explained: ‘He felt disempowered to show to love, he couldn’t communicate’

‘The love is still there but you have to grow together and that is why we needed the support from carers.’ 

In another scene from the upcoming documentary, Kate admitted she didn’t ‘feel loved’ by her husband Derek as she opened up about their relationship. 

Kate was asked if she ‘accepts you’ll have to care for him forever?’ 

She responded: ‘That bit yes I have accepted that completely. I think that’s our role. But how that translates into the relationship is a work in progress.’

Offering a heartbreakingly honest account of how Derek’s condition had impacted their 19-year marriage, she continued: ‘Sometimes you show love with a big bouquet of roses or bringing a cup of tea and he can’t do any of that for me.

‘So he’s trying to work out how to love me. I know he loves me but how does he show that?’

Admitting there are moments when she doesn’t ‘feel’ it from her husband, Kate added: ‘I’m trying to work out if I feel loved by him.

She added: ‘I know I am but we’ve got a whole journey there.’ 

Elsewhere in the documentary, Kate opened up about her heartbreak for Derek himself, sharing: ‘The tragedy for me is that it feels like his brain was his best friend and now it’s his worst enemy.’ 

In another scene Kate admitted she didn't 'feel loved' by her husband Derek as she opened up about their relationship in a documentary marking his final days

In another scene Kate admitted she didn’t ‘feel loved’ by her husband Derek as she opened up about their relationship in a documentary marking his final days

Offering a honest account of how Derek's condition had impacted their marriage, she said: 'Sometimes you show love with bringing a cup of tea and he can't do any of that for me'

Offering a honest account of how Derek’s condition had impacted their marriage, she said: ‘Sometimes you show love with bringing a cup of tea and he can’t do any of that for me’

Detailing a rough patch he was going through, Kate shared: ‘He has been very down. 

‘Wondering about the future a lot of crying. “I’ve let everybody down and what is the meaning of life? what can I contribute?”

‘The thing that helps that is having that sense of purpose, remind him these things take time even if I don’t really know if that’s the answer.’

Kate’s late husband was plagued with health woes after contracting Covid in March 2020, which saw him put in a coma, battle sepsis and left with difficulties communicating.

Derek’s Story features him talking on camera for the first time since his health battle as he admitted: ‘I want to be heard.’

READ MORE: Kate Garraway details crippling cost of Derek Draper’s care: ‘We’re in debt and I can’t earn enough to cover it’

In another scene, Derek was writing in his bed as Kate watched on, with the Good Morning Britain presenter remarking his handwriting was ‘not as clear’ as before but recalling: ‘When I first saw you write your name I burst into tears. You’re still there.’ 

While Derek admitted he could feel an improvement in his health and their son Billy said he could ‘see the difference’, Kate confessed that she couldn’t allow herself to think about what this meant going forward. 

She explained: ‘I don’t look forward to the future because every time I feel like this is really fantastic, and we’ve had some amazing moments, something terrible has happened.’ 

Kate also opened up about the crippling debt she accrued caring for Derek, admitting she’s at ‘crunch point’. 

Faced with a debt of up to £800,000 Kate confessed: ‘Derek’s care costs more than my salary from ITV and that’s before you pay for a mortgage or household bills or anything for the kids – so that is a crunch point.

‘We are in debt and I can’t earn enough money to cover my debt because I’m managing Derek’s care. 

‘I can’t even use the money I do have to support Derek’s recovery because it’s going to the basics all the time.

‘I’m not going to pretend I’m poorly paid but it’s not enough. 

‘Time and time again the state tells us Derek is not sick enough to qualify for state funded care. 

‘I’ve appealed but that still hasn’t been processed three years later. If this is what’s it like for me then what’s it like for everybody else?’

Kate continued: ‘Something has to be done or the whole service, the people working in it, everything is going to break. 

‘We are entirely reliant on extraordinary carers but the system they work for is incredibly complicated and underfunded… 

‘Why is it people get sick and it’s no longer considered the right thing for them to be in hospital, why does coming home feel like falling off a cliff?’ 

READ MORE: How Kate  Garraway honoured her husband’s dying wish with new documentary 

His limitations and his need for care was evident in the documentary, with the father-of-two breaking down in tears as he attempted to pull himself up onto a walking aide with the help of his mobility therapist.

Unable to stand, Derek burst into tears and labelled himself ‘pathetic’ in heartbreaking scenes. 

Kate attempted to console him, insisting ‘it’s not pathetic, you’re absolutely trying’ and the strain on her face was also clear to see. 

One sweet moment saw Kate task Derek with opening some of her birthday cards and reading out the messages for her, but even that simple action left Derek in need of rest. 

Former Labour insider and psychotherapist Derek married presenter Kate in 2005 and they went on to welcome children Darcey 17 and Billy, 14.

In 2021, just over a year after contracting Covid, he was able to leave hospital and return to his family home in north London, with round-the-clock care.

In August 2022 he was taken to hospital with sepsis but pulled through. Then in early December 2023, Derek had a heart attack and was taken to hospital again.

Tragically, he wasn’t able to overcome the latest medical emergency and on January 5 Kate confirmed that Derek died.

In a post on social media, she said that her husband died surrounded by family and that she was ‘holding his hand throughout the last long hours’.

Derek had been plagued with health woes after contracting the virus in March 2020, which saw him put in a coma, battle sepsis and left with difficulties communicating (pictured 2019)

Derek had been plagued with health woes after contracting the virus in March 2020, which saw him put in a coma, battle sepsis and left with difficulties communicating (pictured 2019) 

She said his Covid infection had left him with lasting damage to his heart which had led to ‘further complications’.

Kate also thanked the medical teams for making his final moments as ‘comfortable and dignified as possible.’

understands Derek passed away on Wednesday night (January 3) in a north London hospital. 

Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story airs on on Tuesday at 9pm and will be available to stream on ITVX. 

A timeline of Derek Draper’s coronavirus battle

MARCH  2020

Kate revealed she and Prince Charles had got ‘relatively close’ at the Prince’s Trust Awards on March 11 – Charles was diagnosed with coronavirus in mid-March.  

She said: ‘Around the 29/30 March, I came home came in and said [to Derek] ‘god you look ill.’

‘He said he had a headache, numbness in his right hand, and was struggling to breathe,

‘I rang Dr Hilary (Jones) and tried to get through, he talked to Derek. He said put me back on, I think you need to call an ambulance’

Derek, 52, was taken into hospital on March 30 and remained in an unresponsive condition. 

APRIL  

Kate and her children isolated at home after she displayed ‘mild symptoms’.

Kate said: ‘Derek remains in intensive care and is still very ill. I’m afraid it remains an excruciatingly worrying time.

‘I’m afraid he is still in a deeply critical condition, but he is still here, which means there is hope.’ 

MAY 

Kate said: ‘The journey for me and my family seems to be far from over as every day my heart sinks as I learn new and devastating ways this virus has more battles for Derek to fight. 

‘But he is still HERE & so there is still hope.’

That month, Kate and her family took part in the final clap for carers

She said: ‘I’ll never give up on that because Derek’s the love of my life but at the same time I have absolute uncertainty’

JUNE 

On June 5, Kate revealed Derek is now free from coronavirus but continues to fight against the damage inflicted on his body

JULY 

On July 5, Kate revealed Derek has woken from his coma but he remains in a serious yet critical condition.

On July 8, she announced she would be returning to GMB, after being urged by doctors to ‘get on with life’ during Derek’s recovery.   

She added that Derek had ‘opened his eyes’ after waking from his coma, but has been told his recovery could take years.  

On July 13, Kate returned to GMB for the first time since Derek was hospitalised.    

On July 28, Kate revealed she’d paid an ‘extra emotional’ first visit to Derek, and admitted she’s ‘frustrated’ by his slow progress.

AUGUST

On August 14, Kate reassured GMB viewers that Derek was ‘still with us,’ but it was ‘a waiting game.’ 

On August 19, Kate revealed she celebrated Derek’s birthday with their two children, and described the day as ‘challenging’ for her family. 

 SEPTEMBER  

At the end of September, Derek reportedly becomes the longest surviving patient with coronavirus after spending 184 days in and out of intensive care.

Kate reveals Derek has lost eight stone during his battle.

The presenter announces she is returning to her Smooth Radio show so Derek can hear her voice. 

OCTOBER

On October 30 Kate reveals that Derek has spoken for the first time in seven months, saying the word ‘pain’ to his wife, who watched on ‘in tears’ over FaceTime. 

Kate says a day later that her husband no longer needs a ventilator to breathe. 

NOVEMBER 

Kate reveals her family car has been stolen in latest ‘body blow’ to her family life, as kind-hearted fans offer their cars to help.

She says she feels ‘physically sick’ at the prospect of facing her first Christmas without Derek.

DECEMBER 

The GMB star tells viewers it is her dream to visit Derek on Christmas Day.

She also reveals she missed two weeks on GMB after her children were exposed to the virus, but thankfully she and the kids tested negative.

On December 17, Kate has an emotional conversation live on GMB with two nurses who treated Derek when he was first admitted to Whittington Hospital in North London. 

On New Year’s Eve she reflects on a ‘calamitous’ Christmas without Derek, as her house was flooded and she struggled to get a food delivery slot until her pal Emma Willis stepped in to help.

JANUARY 2021

Kate reveals she and her children got to visit Derek in hospital over the Christmas period, and it was the first time her family had seen him since he was hospitalised.

She also says she’s banned from seeing him due to new restrictions introduced during the government’s third lockdown. 

FEBRUARY 

Kate reveals she is unsure how much Derek will ‘ever be able to recover’ following warning from doctors that he may never wake from his coma 

MARCH

Kate revealed that was in the process of adapting her home to suit Derek’s needs when he is finally released from hospital, in the ITV documentary Finding Derek.

The programmed was praised by viewers for offering a heartbreaking look at the long-term effects of coronavirus.

Kate also revealed that Derek has ‘no muscle left’ since battling Covid

APRIL

Kate revealed that Derek was finally allowed to leave hospital, but would require round-the-clock care once he was returned home.

MAY

Kate revealed that despite now being home with his family, his communication abilities were ‘minimal’ and he ‘couldn’t really move’

DECEMBER

During an appearance on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories, Kate revealed that Derek had said ‘I love you’ for the first time.

After celebrating Christmas, Derek was also pictured in a wheelchair during a trip to the pantomime with his family

JANUARY 2022

Kate revealed that Derek was ‘very fatigued’ and ‘very weak’ following the family outing, adding: ‘I don’t know what this year is going to bring.’

FEBRUARY

Kate offered a glimpse into the daily struggles of looking after her husband amid his battle with long Covid in the documentary Caring For Derek

She also revealed that Derek would die within three days if he was left alone to care for himself.

JULY

On July 6, Kate revealed that Derek had been re-admitted to hospital after suffering a ‘downturn,’ and in a later interview said she takes things ‘day by day.’

On July 20, it was reported that Kate had pulled out of hosting Good Morning Britain to be at Derek’s bedside after he took a ‘very serious’ turn for the worse. 

Recalling the day, the presenter told The Sun: ‘At one point Derek said to me, “This is it, this time. I am gone.” It was just terrifying.

‘His sepsis was gut-wrenching for all of us because it had gone undiagnosed until the point where it was about to take his life away again.’

JANUARY 2023 

Kate became overwhelmed as she confronted former health secretary Matt Hancock over his handling of the pandemic and his decision to go on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.

She then became tearful and looked up as she spoke about Derek, who has been unwell for approaching three years. 

Describing public anger towards him, Kate added of his decision: ‘This gives the impression you still don’t get why they are cross. You still don’t get why people are upset. They want to hold you to more account.’ 

APRIL 

Kate revealed that Derek was once again receiving care in hospital, as she shared the emotional moment Sir Elton John dedicated a song to the ‘inspiring’ couple. 

She shared the emotional moment Sir Elton John dedicated a song to the ‘inspiring’ couple, writing on Instagram: ‘Yes Derek has been back in hospital this week & yes there’s such a long road ahead but #eltonjohn & @davidfurnish you gave the kids & Derek a moment that we will never forget and has lifted their spirits again to feel anything is possible.’

It was also reported that Kate was planning a trip across the world for pioneering treatment in a ‘final hope’ to help her husband.

MAY

Kate reportedly faced a huge £716,000 tax bill after she was forced to close her husband’s business two years after he became stricken with Covid-19.

The final total will be settled within the coming weeks, with friends insisting she will pay whatever is owed.

A friend told The Sun: ‘The figures are terrifying and Kate is of course worried about all the financial pressures, but she has to trust the process.

‘When it comes to an end, she is determined to pay back anything that’s owed.

‘It’s no secret that Kate has been battling to keep her husband alive and working through some heartbreaking situations in her personal life in recent years.

‘Sadly as well as the emotional stress of Derek’s terrible illnesses the financial burden has also been crippling.’

DECEMBER 

Derek was left fighting for his life after suffering a heart attack. 

Kate held a 24/7 vigil by his bedside and cancelled all work commitments while the family ‘prayed for a miracle’. 

A source said: ‘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.

‘This setback has been a huge blow for his family and all the people caring for him. Kate is by his side 24 hours a day and is willing him on to win this latest battle for his life.

‘Derek has fought so many times, and always, against all odds, come out the other side.’

JANUARY 2024

Kate announced on January 5 that Derek had passed away. 

She said: ‘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’.

understands he passed away on January 3 in a North London  hospital. 

He is survived by wife Kate and their children Darcey, 17, and son William, 14. 

 

 

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