Elton John and his husband David Furnish attended the funeral of Kate Garraway’s political aide husband Derek Draper on Friday morning.
The Rocket Man hitmaker, 76, walked with the help of a crutch while accompanied by his wife, 61, as they prepared to pay tribute to Derek, who passed away last month aged 56 after a long battle with the coronavirus.
Family and friends gathered at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Primrose Hill for a memorial service. Kate clutched the hands of her two children as they waited for the coffin to arrive outside the church.
Kate’s teenage daughter Darcey, 17, was one of six pallbearers as her mother watched. The GMB presenter held her 13-year-old son William’s hand tightly as they followed the coffin into the church. Members of his family followed him.
When news of his death was announced last month, Elton reached out to Kate in another touching tribute, after supporting the star through his illness.
Elton John and his husband David Furnish attended the funeral of Kate Garraway’s political aide husband Derek Draper on Friday morning
The Rocket Man hitmaker, 76, walked with the help of a crutch while accompanied by his wife, 61, as they prepared to pay tribute to Derek, who passed away last month aged 56 after a long battle with the coronavirus
Kate was seen at the funeral alongside her teenage children, including daughter Darcey
Elton wrote on his Instagram stories: ‘My heart goes out to Kate, Darcey, William and all the family after Derek’s passing. David, the boys and I are thinking of you and sending all our love.”
Derek was plagued by health problems after contracting Covid in 2020 and suffered cardiac arrest in December, with Kate spending Christmas in hospital
Elton smiled bravely before entering the church, where a host of Kate’s famous friends and Derek’s political colleagues joined to pay their respects.
David held a bag while Elton used a stick next to his boot
Kate revealed the heartbreaking news that her husband has passed away after suffering a heart attack following his health scare before Christmas.
Elton wrote on his Instagram stories: ‘My heart goes out to Kate, Darcey, William and all the family after Derek’s passing. David, the boys and I are thinking of you and sending all our love.”
He also wrote on Kate’s original announcement post, affectionately, “I’m so sorry to hear of this news, Kate. Love and thoughts to you and your family x’.
In April, Kate, Derek and their children attended Elton’s performance at the O2 Arena, where the hitmaker, 76, dedicated a song to the family. Kate confessed that the outing took months of planning due to Derek’s weakened state at the time.
Kate announced the death on Instagram, revealing she was holding his hand as he died in a north London hospital.
Derek was plagued by health problems after contracting Covid in 2020 and suffered a cardiac arrest in December, with Kate spending Christmas in hospital.
In a post on Instagram, she said: ‘I’m sad to tell you all that my dear husband Derek has passed away…
‘As some of you may know, he has been seriously ill following a cardiac arrest in early December which, due to the damage done by Covid in March 2020, led to further complications.
Elton wore a support boot and walked with a cane during the service
His husband followed him as they prepared to pay their respects
Derek and Kate’s daughter Darcey was one of six pallbearers
The couple entered the church along with a number of TV stars and political figures
“Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I stood by his side and held his hand during the last long hours and when he passed away…
‘I have so much more to say, and I will of course 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 make his last moments as comfortable and dignified as possible .
“Sending so much love and thanks to all of you who have generously given our family so much support. Rest in peace now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life.”
Elton then shared the heartwarming message of love.
After the concert in April, Kate praised a ‘supportive’ and ‘friendly’ Elton as he dedicated Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me to Derek during the date of his Elton On His Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.
According to Kate, the trip was a major test for the couple, especially for former political lobbyist Derek, who faced devastating health complications after his body was ravaged by the coronavirus three years ago.
The duo remained steel-faced and stoic ahead of the emotional ceremony
His appearance comes after his tribute to the couple on tour and his emotional Instagram post following Derek’s death
She told Smooth Radio: ‘Until 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 road he seemed so weak.”
But the situation quickly changed for the better, she says.
‘As soon as we entered the stadium and Elton went on stage, he started crying tears of joy and squeezed my hand so tightly. He refused to wear hearing protectors for an hour so he could hear the music,” she explained.
Kate continued: ‘But at one point it seemed like maybe it was all too much for him and he started shaking. His nurses and I took him out of the hallway so he could stretch and relax in the darkness and silence.
‘After a while I asked him if it was time to go and he said, “No… I want to go back,” so we gave him earmuffs to reduce the stimulation and brought him back to the concert…
‘It must have been fate because that was exactly the moment when Elton suddenly dedicated Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me to Derek and his journey. We were all in tears, the kids, Derek and even the nurses. It was completely unexpected…
‘The people around us were so nice and started clapping which was an extraordinary moment that we will all cherish forever and Elton made it possible…’
Elton recognized the difficult time the couple had been through and made sure they had something to laugh about. As he took the stage, he told the audience that they had been through “very difficult times.”
According to Kate, the trip was a major test for the couple – especially for former political lobbyist Derek, 55, who faced devastating health complications after his body was ravaged by coronavirus three years ago – pictured together in 2019