Wed. Oct 16th, 2024
alert-–-derek-draper-funeral-recap:-kate-garraway-lays-husband-to-rest-as-elton-john-performs-heartbreaking-tribute-at-church-where-they-married-nearly-20-years-agoAlert – Derek Draper funeral recap: Kate Garraway lays husband to rest as Elton John performs heartbreaking tribute at church where they married nearly 20 years ago

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16:18

Derek's funeral was attended by the same bishop who married him and Kate 18 years ago

Garraway and Draper wed on September 10, 2005 at the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Primrose Hill, an Anglican church in the exclusive London neighbourhood.

Their marriage was carried out by the Bishop of Exeter, the Right Reverend Robert Atwell, who retired last September but was invited to the funeral as a guest.

Derek Draper and Kate Garraway wedding grabs/vowels from documentary

16:10

Kate Garraway says farewell to her husband Derek Draper at funeral held in the same Primrose Hill church where they married nearly 20 years ago

14:53

READ MORE: The full lyrics to the B-side track Elton performed as a tribute to Derek

Turn me loose from your hands

Let me fly to distant lands

Over green fields, trees and mountains

Flowers and forest fountains

Home along the lanes of the skyway

For this dark and lonely room

Projects a shadow cast in gloom

And my eyes are mirrors

Of the world outside

Thinking of the ways

That the wind can turn the tide

And these shadows turn

From purple into grey

For just a skyline pigeon

Dreaming of the open

Waiting for the day

That he can spread his wings

And fly away again

Fly away, skyline pigeon fly

Towards the dreams

You’ve left so very far behind

Fly away, skyline pigeon fly

Towards the dreams

You’ve left so very far behind

Let me wake up in the morning

To the smell of new mowed hay

To laugh and cry, to live and die

In the brightness of my day

I wanna hear the pealing bells

Of distant churches sing

But most of all please free me from

This aching metal ring

And open out this cage towards the sun

For just this skyline pigeon

Dreaming of the open

Waiting for the day

That he can spread his wings

And fly away again

Fly away, skyline pigeon fly

Towards the dreams

You’ve left so very far behind

Fly away, skyline pigeon fly

Towards the dreams

You’ve left so very

So very far behind

14:45

'The family were so strong throughout'

Following the day, a source told The Sun that Kate was ‘so touched’ by the number of guests who attended to pay tribute to Derek.

They said: ‘It was a heart-wrenching day, but an incredible send-off for a wonderful man.

‘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 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.’

14:44

Kate's touching tribute to Derek

During the service, Kate was seen wearing one of Derek’s watches, as sources described the day as ‘heart-wrenching.’

Image Licensed to i-Images Picture Agency. 02/02/2024. London, United Kingdom. Kate Garraway  arriving for the funeral of her husband Derek Draper  in Primrose Hill, London.  Picture by Stephen Lock / i-Images

14:17

Guests were invited to donate to mental health and carers charities

On a touching note, Derek’s service also included SumUp machines provided by Carers UK for guests to make cashless donations, while the mental health charity Mind provided boxes for cash donations.

14:08

Derek's children pay tribute to their father with a touching flower arrangement

Among the flowers laid out for the funeral procession around the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Primrose Hill was a wreath bearing the word ‘Dad’.

Alongside the arrangement were two handwritten cards from Derek’s kids, with his daughter Darcey’s saying: ‘I love you with all my heart.’

His son William said on his note: ‘I love you Dad. Your son, Bill.’

© Licensed to London News Pictures. 02/02/2024. London, UK. Flowers in the shape of the word

13:30

Elton John pays tribute to Derek by performing at the service

After paying tribute to Derek following news of his death, Sir Elton delivered a moving performance of his song Skyline Pigeon as candles were lit around the church.

Sir Elton John and David Furnish leaving the funeral service of Derek Draper at St Mary the Virgin church in Primrose Hill, north west London. The former lobbyist turned psychologist and author, who married presenter Kate Garraway in 2005, died last month following long-lasting symptoms from coronavirus. Picture date: Friday February 2, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story FUNERAL Draper. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

13:27

Mourners clutch candles as they depart the church

The funeral fell on Candlemas Day, meaning the congregation left holding candles, which were lit in the church.

Kate Garraway leaves the funeral service of her husband Derek Draper at St Mary the Virgin church in Primrose Hill, north west London. The former lobbyist turned psychologist and author, who married presenter Kate Garraway in 2005, died last month following long-lasting symptoms from coronavirus. Picture date: Friday February 2, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story FUNERAL Draper. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

The order of service paid tribute to the star, who had become a ‘dear friend’ and ‘supported them right from the very first day’ that Derek had fallen ill.

13:19

Kate and her loved ones leave the church after Derek's moving farewell

The star held the hand of her son Billy as Derek’s coffin was carried out of the church.

This afternoon Derek took his final journey to a private burial, followed by his wife, two children and a host of A-listers.

His children left notes on wreaths on the coffin, which said: ‘I love you with all my heart’ and ‘I love you dad’.

Kate Garraway follows the coffin out of the funeral service of her husband Derek Draper at St Mary the Virgin church in Primrose Hill, north west London. The former lobbyist turned psychologist and author, who married presenter Kate Garraway in 2005, died last month following long-lasting symptoms from coronavirus. Picture date: Friday February 2, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story FUNERAL Draper. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 2:  Darcey Draper, the daughter of Derek Draper, carries her father's coffin after the funeral mass at St Mary the Virgin Church, on February 2, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

13:16

WATCH: Kate Garraway's Good Morning Britain family arrive at Derek's funeral

12:13

Kate Garraway showed 'strength and courage' as she fought desperate financial battle to care for husband Derek Draper before his death

11:48

Timeline of Derek Draper's agonising health battle as he is laid to rest

11:24

Fiona Phillips, 62, makes a rare appearance following her Alzheimer's diagnosis as she joins her husband Martin Frizell at Derek Draper's funeral

11:23

Her love kept him alive: Derek Draper's resilience, paired with Kate Garraway's endless love and courage, inspired millions and will leave an enduring legacy after he lost four-year battle against long Covid, writes CHRISTOPHER STEVENS

11:06

WATCH: Kate Garraway and her children attend Dere's funeral

10:55

WATCH: Kate's heartbreaking message following Derek's death

10:53

Elton John, 76, displays foot injury and walks with a stick as he joins husband David Furnish, 61, at Derek Draper's funeral

The Rocket Man hitmaker, 76, walked with the assistance of a crutch while joined by his spouse, 61, as they prepared to pay tribute to Derek, who passed away last month aged 56 after a long battle with coronavirus.

When news of Derek’s passing was released last month, Elton reached out to Kate, in another touching tribute, having supported the star during his illness.

10:53

Kate Garraway is supported by her GMB family at Derek Draper's funeral as Susanna Reid, Charlotte Hawkins, Laura Tobin and Alex Beresford join colleagues to pay their final respects

10:45

Goodbye to a titan of New Labour: Keir Starmer, Tony Blair, Ed Miliband and Ed Balls among senior figures at funeral for Covid-hit ex-adviser Derek Draper

Sir Tony described the one-time political adviser as a ruthless political operative and ‘an important part of the New Labour story’.

10:43

As she entered the church, Kate clasped the hands of her children Darcey and Billy, 15

Kate Garraway arrives at the funeral service of her husband Derek Draper at St Mary the Virgin church in Primrose Hill, north west London. The former lobbyist turned psychologist and author, who married presenter Kate in 2005, died last month following long-lasting symptoms from coronavirus. Picture date: Friday February 2, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story FUNERAL Draper. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

Kate Garraway arrives at the funeral service of her husband Derek Draper at St Mary the Virgin church in Primrose Hill, north west London. The former lobbyist turned psychologist and author, who married presenter Kate in 2005, died last month following long-lasting symptoms from coronavirus. Picture date: Friday February 2, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story FUNERAL Draper. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

10:40

United in grief: Kate Garraway clasps hands of children as family arrives to pay final farewell to Derek Draper

10:33

Derek's coffin is carried into the church – with his teenage daughter Darcey as one of the pallbearers

Kate 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 as her mother watched on.

The GMB presenter tightly clutched her son William’s hand as they followed the coffin into the church. Members of Mr Draper’s family followed behind.

Image Licensed to i-Images Picture Agency. 02/02/2024. London, United Kingdom. The funeral of Derek Draper, the husband of Kate Garraway, in Primrose Hill, London.  Picture by Stephen Lock / i-Images

© Licensed to London News Pictures. 02/02/2024. London, UK. The coffin arrives for the funeral of Derek Draper at Church of St Mary the Virgin, Primrose Hill in North London. Derek Draper, a former political lobbyist and husband of television presenter Kate Garraway, died following a long illness caused by COVI-19 infection. Photo credit: Ben Cawthra/LNP

10:30

Kate Garraway arrives with her children and loved ones

Kate was embraced by her loved ones as she arrived at the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Primrose Hill for Derek’s funeral.

* straight from camera please contact if caption clarification is needed *02/02/24Derek Draper's funeral is taking place at St Mary the Virgin Church, Primrose Hill,Kate Garraway husband Derek Draper died last month with the Good Morning Britain star announcing the tragic news to fans. Father-of-two Derek endured a gruelling four year battle gruelling health battle after contracting Covid in March 2020

* straight from camera please contact if caption clarification is needed *02/02/24Derek Draper's funeral is taking place at St Mary the Virgin Church, Primrose Hill,Kate Garraway husband Derek Draper died last month with the Good Morning Britain star announcing the tragic news to fans. Father-of-two Derek endured a gruelling four year battle gruelling health battle after contracting Covid in March 2020

10:27

Former Labour Leader Ed Miliband is among the political figures in attendance for the funeral

Ed Miliband attends the funeral service of Derek Draper at St Mary the Virgin church in Primrose Hill, north west London. The former lobbyist turned psychologist and author, who married presenter Kate Garraway in 2005, died last month following long-lasting symptoms from coronavirus. Picture date: Friday February 2, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story FUNERAL Draper. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

10:25

Derek Draper: The New Labour spin doctor who won Kate's heart

10:22

Kate 'made desperate 12-hour flight home from Mexico with Derek where he was undergoing specialist treatment' after he suffered a cardiac arrest

A source told The Sun: ‘The treatment went incredibly well, and his doctor and all the consultants were hugely optimistic about his long-term progress, and future.

‘Unfortunately as Kate excitedly returned to bring Derek home he suffered a cardiac arrest’.

The broadcaster was by Derek’s side in intensive care in Mexico and worked with UK doctors who oversaw his return via a specialist plane.

10:19

Kate Garraway and her children spent their final family Christmas by Derek's hospital bedside

Kate had spent Christmas Day in hospital with her husband Derek as he was ‘too unwell’ to go home – after suffering a cardiac arrest last year.

A source told The Mirror: ‘Unfortunately Derek was too unwell for doctors to allow him home for Christmas. But the last thing Kate wanted was for him to be alone during the holidays.

‘So they brought Christmas to him, food, presents and all. The whole family was there with him and they had the best day they could.’

10:15

Elton John dedicated a song to Kate and Derek after they attended his concert in April

Kate told Smooth Radio: ‘Right up to the last minute, I wasn’t sure if it would be possible to get Derek there.

‘It took weeks of planning and just days before, it looked like he would be too sick to attend. Even on the journey there, he seemed so weak.’

10:11

Elton John sent 'all his love' to Kate Garraway after she announce Derek had passed away aged 56

10:10

Elton John arrives with his husband David Furnish after paying tribute to Derek

Elton previously reached out to Kate last month after she shared the news of Derek’s death on social media.

* straight from camera please contact if caption clarification is needed *02/02/24Derek Draper's funeral is taking place at St Mary the Virgin Church, Primrose Hill,Kate Garraway husband Derek Draper died last month with the Good Morning Britain star announcing the tragic news to fans. Father-of-two Derek endured a gruelling four year battle gruelling health battle after contracting Covid in March 2020

10:07

Derek's Labour colleagues prepare to say farewell

Alongside Kate’s Good Morning Britain co-stars, many of Derek’s former colleagues and friends from his time as a political lobbyist were in attendance, including former Prime Minister Tony Blair, Keir Starmer and Alastair Campbell.

* straight from camera please contact if caption clarification is needed *02/02/24Derek Draper's funeral is taking place at St Mary the Virgin Church, Primrose Hill,Kate Garraway husband Derek Draper died last month with the Good Morning Britain star announcing the tragic news to fans. Father-of-two Derek endured a gruelling four year battle gruelling health battle after contracting Covid in March 2020

* straight from camera please contact if caption clarification is needed *02/02/24Derek Draper's funeral is taking place at St Mary the Virgin Church, Primrose Hill,Kate Garraway husband Derek Draper died last month with the Good Morning Britain star announcing the tragic news to fans. Father-of-two Derek endured a gruelling four year battle gruelling health battle after contracting Covid in March 2020

* straight from camera please contact if caption clarification is needed *02/02/24Derek Draper's funeral is taking place at St Mary the Virgin Church, Primrose Hill,Kate Garraway husband Derek Draper died last month with the Good Morning Britain star announcing the tragic news to fans. Father-of-two Derek endured a gruelling four year battle gruelling health battle after contracting Covid in March 2020

10:03

Myleene Klass and Alex Beresford are pictured arriving for the funeral, joined by GMB weather presenter Laura Tobin

* straight from camera please contact if caption clarification is needed *02/02/24Derek Draper's funeral is taking place at St Mary the Virgin Church, Primrose Hill,Kate Garraway husband Derek Draper died last month with the Good Morning Britain star announcing the tragic news to fans. Father-of-two Derek endured a gruelling four year battle gruelling health battle after contracting Covid in March 2020

Alex Beresford (right) attends the funeral service of Derek Draper at St Mary the Virgin church in Primrose Hill, north west London. The former lobbyist turned psychologist and author, who married presenter Kate Garraway in 2005, died last month following long-lasting symptoms from coronavirus. Picture date: Friday February 2, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story FUNERAL Draper. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

10:01

Fiona Phillips arrives hand-in-hand with her husband Martin Frizell

The presenter, who worked with Kate on GMTV, revealed last year she’d been diagnosed with dementia.

* straight from camera please contact if caption clarification is needed *02/02/24Derek Draper's funeral is taking place at St Mary the Virgin Church, Primrose Hill,Kate Garraway husband Derek Draper died last month with the Good Morning Britain star announcing the tragic news to fans. Father-of-two Derek endured a gruelling four year battle gruelling health battle after contracting Covid in March 2020

09:57

Piers Morgan was joined by his wife Celia Walden for the service

The TalkTV star quit Good Morning Britain in 2021 after an on-screen spat with star Alex Beresford.

* straight from camera please contact if caption clarification is needed *02/02/24Derek Draper's funeral is taking place at St Mary the Virgin Church, Primrose Hill,Kate Garraway husband Derek Draper died last month with the Good Morning Britain star announcing the tragic news to fans. Father-of-two Derek endured a gruelling four year battle gruelling health battle after contracting Covid in March 2020

09:53

Charlotte Hawkins and Richard Arnold are among the GMB stars arriving to support Kate

* straight from camera please contact if caption clarification is needed *02/02/24Derek Draper's funeral is taking place at St Mary the Virgin Church, Primrose Hill,Kate Garraway husband Derek Draper died last month with the Good Morning Britain star announcing the tragic news to fans. Father-of-two Derek endured a gruelling four year battle gruelling health battle after contracting Covid in March 2020

09:51

Derek Draper's Covid battle

Derek 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.

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.

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 5.

09:48

Kate's Good Morning Britain colleagues arrive to support her

Ahead of the funeral, Kate’s Good Morning Britain co-stars Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard were seen arriving to attend the service.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 02: Susanna Reid attends the funeral of Derek Draper at St Mary the Virgin Church, on February 02, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

Ben Shephard attends the funeral service of Derek Draper at St Mary the Virgin church in Primrose Hill, north west London. The former lobbyist turned psychologist and author, who married presenter Kate Garraway in 2005, died last month following long-lasting symptoms from coronavirus. Picture date: Friday February 2, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story FUNERAL Draper. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

09:43

Who was Derek Draper?

Derek Draper was born in Chorley, Lancashire on August 15, 1967.

He attended Runshaw College, Leyland before pursuing further education at the University of Manchester.

During his political career as a lobbyist and a political advisor, he was also a researcher for Labour minister Peter Mandelson.

Towards the tail end of the 90s, he was also dabbled in the world of print journalism, working as the political editor of the Modern Review.

In 2009, he founded his own blog, the LabourList, but later stepped away from his position as editor-in-chief following a scandal regarding leaked emails.

Derek Draper, a former aide to Minister without Portfolio Peter Mandelson, leaves his home in north London today (Tuesday) having flown back to Britain late last night from a holiday in Italy on hearing that his firm,GPC Market Access, had suspended him in the light of allegations that he had given market-sensitive information about Government spending plans to a US investment bank. See PA story POLITICS Lobbyists.  Photo by Tony Harris/PA.

On August 23, 2019, Derek decided to withdraw his Labour membership after 25 years.

09:39

How Derek Draper fought long Covid for years after he caught it age 52 and was left in a coma and battling sepsis

09:38

Kate Garraway prepares to say final goodbye to Derek Draper

Kate Garraway will today say goodbye to her beloved husband Derek Draper at his funeral today following his death aged 56.

Family, friends and stars from the worlds of TV and politics are gathering at the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Primrose Hill for Derek’s funeral this morning,

M 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.

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.

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 5.

Key Updates

  • Kate Garraway says farewell to her husband Derek Draper at funeral held in the same Primrose Hill church where they married nearly 20 years ago

  • Kate's touching tribute to Derek

  • Elton John pays tribute to Derek by performing at the service

  • WATCH: Kate Garraway and her children attend Derek's funeral

  • Kate Garraway is supported by her GMB family including Susanna Reid and Alex Beresford

  • Kate clasped the hands of her children as she arrived for Derek's last farewell

  • Kate Garraway arrives with her children and loved ones

  • Derek Draper's Covid battle

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