Kate Garraway's husband Derek Draper, 56, dies after lengthy Covid health battle
Kate Garraway 's beloved husband Derek Draper has died at the age of 56, the TV star has announced.
The Good Morning Britain presenter announced the sad news this morning, sharing how her beloved husband was surrounded by his loved ones as he passed away.
This Morning presenters and paid tribute to Derek on the ITV show amid the news breaking as they hosted the live programme, with Iain King fighting back the tears as he shared the news of his friend's death on Sky News.
Susanna Reid, Kate's Good Morning Britain colleague, and Lorraine Kelly were among the first of the star's famous friends to send their love and support to the grieving mum-of-two, with Alastair Campbell, a fellow prominent New Labour figure in the 1990s, describing psychologist and author Derek as "a huge character".
Kate, who had been by Derek's side over Christmas following her husband's heart attack last month, thanked "all of you who have so generously given our family so much support" as she shared the sad news that her husband's almost four-year battle to recover from Covid-19 has come to an end.
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Kate Garraway shared this picture of her late husband as she announced the news of his death (@kategarraway/instagram)
Derek Draper with his wife and her parents after the TV presenter received her OBE in June 2023 (Getty Images)Captioning a picture of her late husband, Kate told her Instagram followers: "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. 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's heartbreaking announcing prompted many from the world of showbiz to pay tribute to Derek but also saw a slew of political figures mourning the late dad-of-two online, thanks to Derek's past career in politics. Former prime minister and leader of The Labour Party Sir Tony Blair said: "I am so sad to hear the news about Derek. My heart goes out to Kate and their children William and Darcey.
“It is extraordinary and remarkable that Derek survived so long after the ravages of Covid. And that was in large measure due to the love Derek had for his family and they for him. This also says something very special about Derek. He was a tough sometimes ruthless political operative, a brilliant adviser and someone you always wanted on your side.
Derek with his beloved wife and two young children"But underneath that tough exterior he was a loving, kind, generous and good natured man you wanted as a friend. He was an important part of the New Labour story, at the centre of things right at the beginning. But most important of all, he was a good colleague and great friend. And we will miss him deeply."
Former prime minister Gordon Brown, Blair's successor, described Derek as "multitalented" in a tribute shared on Twitter (X). The Scottish politician wrote: "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."
Blair's former spin doctor Alastair Campbell took to Twitter to share his tribute to Derek shortly after Kate's announcement, with the podcast host writing: "Very sad to hear the news about Derek Draper. He was a huge character, a giver not a taker, and had so much more to give before Covid took its toll. Sad above all for @kategarraway and the children. Their love and support was profound and unshakeable to the end. RIP."
Kate's showbiz friends and ITV colleagues were quick to rally round the mourning star following her announcement, with Susanna Reid telling her Good Morning Britain co-star "our whole hearts are with you all" as she commented underneath Kate's emotional Instagram post before later sharing a picture of Kate and Derek on Instagram with the caption: "Our whole hearts are with you all @kategarraway & Derek’s family". Lorraine Kelly added: "So sorry Kate. You fought so hard. Just incredibly sad. Sending you love."
Kate's GMB co-host Ben Shephard shared a sweet picture of Derek kissing a smiling Kate as he wrote: "On what has been the saddest of days @kategarraway I’ve been reminding myself of the wonderful times and memories we have all shared together. This is how I’ll always think of Derek - bringing you so much joy, your smile says it all, the size of which is matched only by his love for you, Darcey and Bill. Sending all our love Kate to you and all the family."
ITV star Martin Lewis wrote on Twitter: "I'm sad to hear of Derek Draper passing. We had a few dinners out together with Kate and Derek and he was also a great big, warm, fun man. That's how he should be remembered - he would've liked the attention :) Wishing Kate and the family love and ease through the pain. I hope they are left to grieve in peace & privacy, and the end of this tragic chapter lets them move on and recover the joy in their lives."
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Sir Elton John commented: "So sorry to hear of this news, Kate. Love and thoughts to you and your family x." Derek attended the Rocket Man’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road concert at London’s O2 Arena in April after being invited along with Kate as the guests of honour.
Charlotte Hawkins asked for others to send her fellow Good Morning Britain host Kate "love and prayers" after she announced her husband's long-lasting symptoms from coronavirus Alongside a photo of Kate and Derek, Charlotte told her Instagram followers: "Such desperately sad news about Derek. It’s been an incredibly tough time for all the family & Kate has been so strong throughout all this – please send her your love & prayers so she knows we’re all here for her." GMB weather reporter Laura Tobin shared a picture of Derek on her Instagram Story with the caption: "Rest in peace Derek. Sending love to Kate and family."
Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas, who lost his wife to leukaemia in 2017, told Kate via Instagram: "Kate I am so so sorry to read this. Such a huge loss to bear for you and the children. You’ve been an unbelievable rock for Derek through such incredibly tough times. Sending much love to you and the family x"
"Kate Garraway has just announced that her husband Derek has died and that she was ‘by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours'," Carol Vorderman wrote on Twitter (X) as she paid tribute to the late dad-of-two. "Sending my thoughts & love to Kate and their family. Heartbreaking, after the last years, they have lost the man they love so much."
Gaby Roslin also sent a message in the Instagram comments, writing: "Oh Kate I’m so sorry. Sending you my deepest sympathies to you and your family." Radio 2 DJ Zoe Ball added: "heartbroken for you and your children Kate. so much love coming your way from so many. may Dereks star always shine brightest for you xxxx"
Piers Morgan, a former co-star of Kate's, remembered Derek as a "brilliantly clever and funny man" as he paid tribute this afternoon. The TV presenter also hailed his former Good Morning Britain co-host Kate for her "loyal, loving, selfless devotion" during her husband’s illness.
In December, Kate pulled out of all her work commitments in order to be Derek's side following the former lobbyist suffering a heart attack. Smooth FM, the radio station where Kate hosts a weekday show, took to social media today to pay their respects, tweeting: "We are sending all of our love to Kate Garraway following the heartbreaking news that her husband, Derek Draper, has died."
As Tina Holby covered Kate's slot on the radio station today following the news of psychologist and author Derek's death being made public, the former Holby City actress thanked listeners for sending messages of support for her grieving colleague and reiterated how everyone was thinking of Kate and her family.
Derek's attempt to recover from Covid was the focus of two documentaries (ITV)Kate's ITV bosses also issued a statement, with Kevin Lygo, managing director of media and entertainment at ITV, saying on behalf of the channel: "Everyone that has worked with Kate at ITV over the past few years are desperately saddened to hear this terrible news. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Kate and Derek’s family and we will continue to offer our support in any way we can at this very difficult time."
Loose Women aired shortly after Kate confirmed the news Derek had died, with Kaye Adams visibly moved as she discussed Derek's passing with the rest of the panel. The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant opened the ITV show saying: "We are gonna start today with the saddest of news. This morning, Kate Garraway announced the death of her husband Derek Draper." She went on to say: "We have all been moved by Kate and her family's journey over the last few years, and so full of admiration with how they dealt with incredible challenges."
Linda Robson then revealed: "They were my neighbours for many years. I saw them often out and about together, it's really, really sad. They are the loveliest family." Kaye added: "Kate you displayed strength and love in ways I can barely contemplate. We are sending you all of our love and best wishes."
Coronation Street actress Sue Cleaver also hailed Kate for her documentaries about life living with Derek's illness. The Eileen Grimshaw actress: "We all got to accompany Kate on this terrible journey through these amazing documentaries that she made. (It was) the darkest time of their lives, and yet she was still able to highlight the roles of carers everywhere today and my heart is just with them and so, so sorry to hear the news."
Former political advisor and lobbyist turned psychologist and author Derek, who shared two children with Good Morning Britain presenter Kate, fought an incredibly brave and lengthy battle against Covid-19, after first being hospitalised with the virus in March 2020.
Derek fell into a coma at the start of the global pandemic and was put on a ventilator - becoming Britain's longest suffering Covid-19 victim as he spent 13 months in hospital. The dad-of-two returned home from hospital in April 2021 but still required care and assistance, as he struggled to return to full health following first contracting the viral disease.
Derek and Kate shared two young children together (James Gourley/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
The late dad-of-two on his wedding day in 2005 (WireImage)Kate documented Derek's bid to recover with two documentaries focused on her husband's health, with the broadcaster winning a National Television Award in 2021 for her feature Finding Derek. The mum-of-two opened up about the reality of caring for a loved one and the state of social care in the United Kingdom as she collected the honour two years ago.
She told reporters at the star-studded event: "There is a lot of challenges that we're facing now. I am now experiencing being a carer, and the challenges that are there. We all know social care has been in the headlines for lots of reasons and for lots of reasons people need support with health and social care." An emotional Kate went on to add: "There are definitely more stories to tell. Let's hope that Derek's voice will be giving those stories. We know he's in there. We just have to get him out."
In December last year, as following Derek suffering a heart attack. Kate had previously said she had been hoping to have a relaxed Christmas, though Derek went into hospital to have some treatment in early December.
The Good Morning Britain presenter and Derek had been hoping to host the whole family at their home in North London, with Kate saying: "It's a practical solution because it's quite challenging for Derek to travel. So it's easier for people to come to us, which means they have to suffer my cooking!"
Sadly, Kate was unable to enjoy one final Christmas at home with her beloved husband and instead kept a vigil by her spouse's side over the festive period prior to his death.
Born in Chorley, Lancashire, Derek studied at Runshaw College in Leyland before continuing his studies at the University of Manchester. During his time at university, Derek kick-started his political career thanks to providing hospitality for Ken Livingstone, who had missed his train after a Labour Club meeting.
Officially beginning his political career in 1990 as the constituency secretary for Nick Brown, Derek went on to work as a researcher for the then MP for Hartlepool Peter Mandelson. In 1996, the late dad-of-two became a director of a lobbying firm called GPC Market Access, and was employed by them until early 1999.
Derek's career also saw him work as the Political Editor of the Modern Review, host a show on Talk Radio, briefly write a column for the Daily Express and author two books, Blair's 100 Days and Life Support. After leaving the world of politics behind, Derek retrained as a psychotherapist, obtaining an MA in clinical psychology.
He is survived by his wife Kate, whom he married in 2005, and their two children, Darcey and Billy.
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