Kate Garraway's daughter carries dad's coffin into church for funeral service

Tony Blair gives touching speech

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair stepped forward to give a touching speech during the service at the request of Kate.

The ex politican, under whom Derek worked under New Labour, attended the ceremony with his wife Cherie Blair and many leading figures of the Labour party past and present.

Derek had worked as a poltical aide to former Labour cabinet minister Lord Mandelson, before retraining as a psychotherapist. In the late 90s, he worked as the Political Editor of the Modern Review, was briefly a columnist for the Daily Express and presented on TalkRadio.

Sir Elton John sings hit song as guests 'well-up with tears'

Elton John performed his hit Skyline Pigeon in a very moving segment of Friday's funeral service.

The singer, who had been invited to attend alongside husband David Furnish, sang the emotional track in front of a congregation that included Kate's family, members of the ITV daytime team and labour politicians past and present.

The track includes the lyrics "Turn me loose from you hands / Let me fly into distant lands / Over green fields, trees and mountains / Flowers and forest fountains / Home along the lanes of the skyway"

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Elton had become a close friend of the family after reaching out to them during Derek's health decline in 2020. He also dedicated his song Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me to Kate and Derek when they attended one of his farewell concerts last year. The date night had been a rare night out for the couple, with Kate moved to tears by the gesture.

Kate's personal and touching tribute

Kate Garraway chose to wear an item of jewellery belonging to her late husband at his funeral today.

The TV presenter ensured her husband remained close as she wore his silver watch to the service at St Mary's Church in Primrose Hill.

Heartbreaking detail of funeral location

(MattPapz / BACKGRID)

Kate Garraway chose to say her last goodbyes to husband Derek Draper in the same church they said their wedding vows 20 years earlier.

The pair tied the knot in the picturesque Primrose Hill church in September 2005, a year after they started dating.

Many of the guests that had been on the happy occassion, including Richard Arnold and Fiona Phillips and her This Morning boss husband Martin Frizell, were also in attendance at Derek's funeral on Friday.

During their wedding, Kate and Derek walked down the aisle together to Areosmith's I Don't Want To Miss A Thing.

Sir Elton John gives a wave as he heads out of packed church

(MattPapz / BACKGRID)

Singer Elton John gave a wave to cameras as he headed out of church. The singer was among a number of famous faces who had turned out to support Kate and her family.

Sir Elton had become close friends with Kate after reaching out to her during Derek's decline in health during the Covid pandemic. He paid tribute to the married couple at one of his farwell concerts by dedicating a song to them on an ultra rare date night for the pair.

Read more about Kate's friendship with Elton and his support for her family here.

Darcey Draper bravely carries her father's coffin out of church after moving service

(PA)

Kate Garraway's daughter Darcey was seen carrying her father's coffin out of church following a moving service on Friday morning.

The brave teen, who was among six pallbearers, took on the special role as her mother watched poingantly on.

Teary Kate Garraway and son William lead mourners exiting packed church

(PA)

Kate was seen holding hands with her son William as the pair led mourners out of the packed church on Friday following the funeral of Derek Draper at the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Primose Hill.

The TV presenter and her youngest child were seen holding candles that had been lit during the service.

Heartbreaking final messages from Derek and Kate's children

(Ben Cawthra/LNP)

Among the flowers laid out for the funeral procession, was a heartbreaking wreath of the words 'Dad', as a special tribute from Derek's beloved children Darcey and William.

Alongside the arrangement were two handwritten cards from his 17-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son.

Darcey's message read: "I love you with all my heart" while William penned: "I love you Dad. Your son, Bill."

United in grief

(Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)

Kate was seen clasping the hand of her son William as the duo made their way into the north London church on Friday morning. William's older sister Darcey bravely acted as pallbearer for the service.

GMB presenter Kate had praised her children's handling of their father's illness and how they learned to readjust to huge changes to the dad they knew and loved.

Discussing the relationship between the kids and Derek, Kate said: "He’s their Daddy. And it’s interesting, he comes most alive I think when they're around, not so much me, let’s be honest, but no, of course there is a huge amount of love for me! He does come alive and you can see him kind of trying to be the old Dad as much as he can, trying to make them laugh, trying to do different things.

"Derek was this kind of loud, rumbustious, huge, you know… overwhelming… and god how we loved it, but he’s not that now, so they’ve had to readjust. You know how you bounce off your parents, different boundaries, and they are doing it brilliantly. They’re navigating it brilliantly."

Piers Morgan shows his support for Kate Garraway

Piers Morgan was on hand to support his former co-star

Piers Morgan joined a throng of ITV daytime stars past and present showing their support for Kate and her family.

The presenter had been friends with Derek and Kate separately before they became a couple and often joked it was him that brought them together.

"I can honestly say I’ve never met a couple better suited, or who enjoyed a stronger and happier marriage. That’s what makes the tragedy which befell them even more heart-breaking," said Piers in the wake of Derek's passing.

The star also revealed that Kate had personally text him to alert him of the news saying he was 'devastated but not surprised' when he heard.

Piers had been a close of ally of Kate's during their time working together on GMB where they covered the Covid pandemic daily until Kate was forced to take time off to care for her sick husband.

Kate Garraway's daughter Darcey carries her dad's coffin into church

(PA)

Kate's daughter Darcey bravely carried her father's coffin into church.

The teen acted as pallbearer alongside close family friends ahead of dad Derek's funeral today.

Heartbreakingly, the north London church is the same venue where Kate and Derek married back in 2005. The couple had been planning to renew their vows before the father-of-two fell ill in March 2020.

Kate Garraway puts on brave face as she arrives at funeral with her children

(PA)

Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway has arrived for the funeral of her husband Derek Draper at the same church in north London where they married nearly two decades ago.

Garraway, who tied the knot with Draper in September 2005, wore a long black cloak as she arrived at the Church of St Mary The Virgin in Primrose Hill on Friday.

Kate was joined by her daughter Darcey and son William with the trio holding hands as they prepared to say their final farwell to Derek.

Labour leaders show of support

(Getty Images)

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair, his wife Cherie and current Labour leader Keir Starmer have arrived to pay their respects to Derek. Ed Milliband was also invited to the service while former journalist turned strategist and spokesman for Tony Blair and New Labour Alistair Campbell was also seen heading into church for the service.

Mr Blair previously paid tribute to Derek, writing: "I am so sad to hear the news about Derek. My heart goes out to Kate and their children William and Darcey. He was a tough sometimes ruthless political operative, a brilliant adviser and someone you always wanted on your side.

"But underneath that tough exterior, he was a loving, kind, generous and good-natured man you wanted as a friend." He said that Derek was "an important part of the New Labour story, at the centre of things right at the beginning".

Sir Elton John and David Furnish pay their respects

(Getty Images)

Close friend of Kate, Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish, have arrived at the funeral in Primrose Hill. The singer cut a sombre figure as he made his way into the church, using a walking aid for support.

Sir Elton previously paid tribute to Derek and Kate while performing on stage at the O2 Arena. Kate, Derek, and their children attended the concert last April and were touched when Elton dedicated 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me' to the couple.

The icon said at the time: "I can't forget, the two people who I am so thrilled are here because they've both been through hell over the last two or three years are Kate Garraway and Derek and the kids.

"To say they've been through a lot recently is an understatement on a huge proportion," he said before continuing: "They've inspiring, they've never given up and I'm so thrilled they're here, I can't believe they're here.

"I want to dedicate this song to the people I mentioned before but especially to you guys."

Fiona Phillips and husband Martin Frizell arrive

(PA)

Former ITV daytime star Fiona Phillips and her. husband Martin Frizell, who is the editor of This Morning, were at the service to show their support to Kate and her family.

It was a rare public appearance for Fiona who went public with her Alzheimer's Diagnosis last year. Fiona left GM:TV in 2008 for 'personal reasons' but has remained close to many of the current stars.

ITV daytime stars turn out in force to support Kate

(PA)

Fellow Good Morning Britain stars Charlotte Hawkins, Richard Arnolds, Alex Beresford, and Ed Balls have arrived for the funeral in northwest London.

Co-stars Richard Madeley and guest host Robert Rinder also attended the funeral. Former Good Morning Britain star Piers Morgan - who previously paid tribute to Derek - arrived to pay his respects.

Kate Garraway's close friend and co-star Ben Shephard arrives at the service

(Getty Images)

Kate's GMB co-star and close friend Ben Shephard arrived at the north London church to pay his respects on Friday.

Ben has supported Kate and her family during their four-year long ordeal.

After Derek's death, Ben paid a heartfelt tribute to the former lobbyist Derek. The 49-year-old wrote on social media: "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."

Susanna Reid is first of Kate's co-stars to attend

(2024 Getty Images)

Kate Garraway's co-star and close friend Susanna Reid has arrived for the funeral in support of the presenter.

After Derek's death, Kate paid tribute to him in a post shared on Instagram. She said: "Our whole hearts are with you all @kategarraway & Derek’s family." Susanna also sent a message to Kate on her post, as she told her friend and colleague: "Our whole hearts are with you all."

How did Derek Draper die?

Who is likely to attend Derek Draper's funeral?

(Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Many of Kate's Good Morning Britain co-stars are expected to attend the funeral this afternoon to support her and her family. Ben Shephard, Susanna Reid and Ranvir Singh are among the stars supporting Kate.

Her co-host and friend Ben spoke about her "numbness of grief" one week after Derek's passing on GMB. He said the "clocks have stopped" for the mum-of-two, and said she had moved to the "next stage" of grief.

Ben said: "She said she's sort of in a strange bubble of her own numbness of grief. Her, Billy and Darcey are hunkering down together. Her amazing mum and dad are just remarkable. She's got all the right people around her. She wanted everybody to know she will be back as soon as she can."

Others expected to attend are ITV's Lorraine Kelly and former GMB presenter Piers Morgan - who has been by Kate's side over the years.

Who paid tribute to Derek Draper following Kate Garraway’s announcement?

Derek’s death sparked an outpouring of tributes from some pretty big names, including the last two Labour prime ministers. Sir Tony Blair issued a statement saying: "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.”

"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."

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."

How did Kate Garraway break the news of Derek Draper’s death?

(@kategarraway/instagram)

Captioning a picture of her late husband on Instagram on 5th January, Kate was the one to break the news of her husband’s death. Derek’s passing followed the former lobbyist spending his last Christmas in hospital after suffering from a heart attack earlier in the month.

"I’m sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away,” Kate wrote on Instagram last month. “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."

Who was Derek Draper?

Derek, who was born in Chorley, Lancashire, started his political career while studying at the University of Manchester. He provided hospitality for Ken Livingstone, who had missed his train after a Labour Club meeting and needed accommodation for the night.

He officially began his political journey in 1990 as the constituency secretary for Nick Brown. Derek also worked as a researcher for Peter Mandelson, the then MP for Hartlepool. In 1996, he became a director of a lobbying firm called GPC Market Access.

Derek also worked as the Political Editor of the Modern Review and hosted a show on Talk Radio. He wrote a column for the Daily Express and authored two books, Blair's 100 Days and Life Support. After leaving politics, Derek retrained as a psychotherapist, earning an MA in clinical psychology.

Kate and Derek tied the knot in 2005 and went on to welcome two children into the world together, daughter Darcey and son Billy.