Kate Garraway's husband Derek Draper has died aged 56 after suffering a heart attack before Christmas following a long battle with Covid, the TV presenter confirmed today.
Derek was plagued by health problems after contracting the virus in March 2020, which left him in a coma, blood poisoning and leaving with communication problems.
The former lobbyist and political advisor suffered cardiac arrest in early December, while Kate spent Christmas in hospital.
In a statement on Instagram this morning, she revealed that he died “surrounded by his family” and that she “held his hand during the last long hours and as he passed away.”
Here MailOnline describes his battle against long Covid.
Derek, 56, who has been plagued by health problems after contracting Covid in 2020, is said to be in critical condition (pictured in June with Kate's parents Gordon and Marilyn)
Kate revealed she was holding her husband's hand when she died
MARCH 2020
Kate revealed that she and then Prince Charles had become 'relatively close' at the Prince's Trust Awards on March 11 – with Charles later diagnosed with Covid in mid-March.
She said: 'Around March 29/30 I got home, came in and said (to Derek) 'God, you look sick.'
“He said he had a headache, numbness in his right hand and had trouble breathing.
“I called Dr Hilary (Jones) and tried to get through it, he spoke to Derek. He said: turn me back on, I think you should call an ambulance'
Derek was then taken to hospital on March 30, where he remained in an unresponsive state.
APRIL
Kate and her children have been self-isolating after she showed 'mild symptoms'.
She said: 'Derek is still in intensive care and is still very ill. I'm afraid it remains a terribly worrying time.
“I'm afraid his condition is still very critical, but he is still here, which means there is hope.”
BE ABLE TO
Kate said: “The journey for me and my family seems far from over as every day my heart sinks as I learn new and devastating ways this virus is fighting even more battles for Derek.
“But he is still HERE and so there is still hope.”
She added: “I will never give that up because Derek is the love of my life, but at the same time I have absolute insecurity.”
JUNE
On June 5, Kate revealed that Derek is now free of Covid, but continues to battle the damage the virus has done to his body.
JULY
On July 5, Kate revealed that Derek had emerged from his coma, but added that he remains in a serious but critical condition.
Later that month, Kate revealed she had an 'extra emotional' first visit to Derek, admitting she was 'frustrated' by his slow progress.
AUGUST
On August 14, Kate assured GMB viewers that Derek was “still with us,” but added that it was “a waiting game.”
Later that month, Kate revealed she was celebrating Derek's birthday with their two children, describing the day as 'challenging' for her family.
SEPTEMBER
At the end of September, Derek will reportedly become the longest-living patient with Covid after spending 184 days in and out of intensive care.
Kate reveals that Derek lost the 8th during his fight.
The host also announces that she is returning to her Smooth Radio show so Derek can hear her voice.
OCTOBER
On October 30, Kate revealed that Derek spoke for the first time in seven months, saying the word “pain” to his wife, who watched “in tears” via FaceTime.
Kate says a day later that her husband is getting better and no longer needs a ventilator to breathe.
JANUARY 2021
Kate reveals that she and her children visited Derek in hospital over Christmas, and it was the first time her family had seen him since he was in hospital.
She also says she has been banned from seeing him due to new restrictions introduced during the government's third lockdown.
MARCH
Kate revealed she was in the process of adapting her home to Derek's needs when he was finally discharged from hospital, in the ITV documentary Finding Derek.
The program was praised by viewers for offering a heartbreaking look at the long-term effects of a Covid infection.
Kate also revealed that Derek 'has no muscles left' since battling Covid
APRIL
Kate revealed that Derek was finally allowed to leave hospital, but he would need 24-hour care once he got home.
BE ABLE TO
Kate revealed that despite now being at home with his family, his communication skills 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 tired' and 'very weak' after the family outing, adding: 'I don't know what this year will bring.'
FEBRUARY
Kate offered a glimpse into the daily struggle to care for her husband during his battle with the long Covid-19 crisis in the documentary Caring For Derek
She also revealed that Derek would die within three days if he was left alone to fend for himself.
JULY
On July 6, Kate revealed that Derek had been admitted to hospital again after a 'relapse'.
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.
JANUARY 2023
Kate was left overwhelmed when she confronted former Health Secretary Matt Hancock about his handling of the pandemic and his decision to go ahead with I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.
She then became teary-eyed and looked up as she spoke about Derek, who has been unwell for almost three years.
Describing the public anger towards him, Kate added of his decision: 'This gives the impression that you still don't understand why they are angry. You still don't understand why people are angry. They want to hold you more accountable.”
APRIL
Kate revealed Derek was once again receiving care in hospital as she shared the emotional moment Sir Elton John dedicated a song to the 'inspirational' couple.
She shared the emotional moment when Sir Elton John dedicated a song to the 'inspirational' couple, writing on Instagram: 'Yes Derek has been back in hospital this week and yes there is such a long road ahead but #eltonjohn & @davidfurnish you gave the children & Derek a moment we will never forget and that cheers them up to feel that anything is possible.'
It was also reported that Kate was planning a trip across the world for groundbreaking treatment in a 'last hope' to help her husband.
BE ABLE TO
Now Kate is reportedly facing a huge £716,000 tax bill after being forced to close her husband's business after he was hit by Covid
The final total will be settled in the coming weeks, with friends insisting she will pay what is owed.
DECEMBER
Derek suffers a massive heart attack that forces him to fight for his life again.
Kate spent Christmas with him in the hospital.
JANUARY 2024
On January 5, Kate announces that Derek has died.
In a post on social media, she said her husband died surrounded by family and that she “held his hand for the last long hours.”
Kate also thanked the medical teams for making his final moments as “comfortable and dignified as possible.”
MailOnline understands that Derek passed away on Wednesday evening (January 3).