Kate Garraway breaks social media silence and addresses GMB absence after her father was rushed to hospital as she shares ‘very scary’ ordeal
MARCH 2020
Kate revealed that she and Prince Charles had come ‘relatively close’ at the Prince’s Trust Awards on March 11 – Charles was diagnosed with the coronavirus in mid-March.
She said, ‘Around March 29th/30th I came home and said, [to Derek] “God, you look sick.”
He said he had a headache, numbness in his right hand and difficulty breathing,
‘I called Dr Hilary (Jones) and tried to get through, he spoke to Derek. He said I need to get back, I think you need to call an ambulance’
Derek, 52, was taken to hospital on March 30 and remained unresponsive.
APRIL
Kate and her children were in isolation at home after she showed ‘mild symptoms’.
Kate said: ‘Derek is still in intensive care and is still very ill and I’m afraid it remains an extremely worrying time.
“I’m afraid his condition is still very critical, but he’s still here, and that means there’s hope.”
BE ABLE TO
Kate said: ‘The journey for me and my family seems far from over. Every day my heart sinks as I learn new and devastating ways this virus is presenting Derek with even more challenges.
“But he’s still there, so there’s still hope.”
That month, Kate and her family took part in the final applause for the caregivers
She said: ‘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 announced that Derek is now free of the coronavirus, but he is still battling the damage his body has suffered
JULY
On July 5, Kate announced that Derek had emerged from his coma, but that his condition was still serious.
On July 8, she announced she would be returning to GMB after doctors advised her to ‘get on with her life’ during Derek’s recovery.
She added that Derek had “opened his eyes” after waking from his coma, but that his recovery could take years.
On July 13, Kate returned to GMB for the first time since Derek’s hospital stay.
On July 28, Kate revealed she had an “extra emotional” first visit with Derek and admitted she was “frustrated” by his slow progress.
AUGUST
On August 14, Kate assured GMB viewers that Derek was ‘still with us’ but that it was ‘a matter of waiting and seeing’.
On August 19, Kate revealed that she celebrated Derek’s birthday with their two children and described the day as “challenging” for her family.
SEPTEMBER
At the end of September, Derek would have become the longest-living corona patient, after spending 184 days in intensive care.
Kate says Derek lost 105 pounds during his fight.
The presenter announces that she is returning to her Smooth Radio show so Derek can hear her voice.
OCTOBER
On October 30, Kate reveals that Derek has spoken for the first time in seven months, saying the word “pain” to his wife, who watches “in tears” via FaceTime.
A day later, Kate tells us that her husband no longer needs a ventilator.
NOVEMBER
Kate reveals her family car has been stolen in yet another blow to her family life, as kindhearted fans offer their cars to help.
She says she feels “physically sick” at the prospect of celebrating her first Christmas without Derek.
DECEMBER
The GMB star tells viewers that her dream is to visit Derek at Christmas.
She also shares that she did not follow GMB for two weeks after her children were exposed to the virus, but luckily she and the children tested negative.
On December 17, Kate has an emotional chat live on GMB with two nurses who treated Derek when he was first admitted to Whittington Hospital in North London.
On New Year’s Eve, she recalls a “disastrous” Christmas without Derek. Her house was flooded and she struggled to get a spot for a food delivery, until her friend Emma Willis stepped in to help.
JANUARY 2021
Kate says she and her children visited Derek in hospital over Christmas. It was the first time her family had seen him since he was in hospital.
She also says she is no longer allowed to see him due to new restrictions introduced during the government’s third lockdown.
FEBRUARY
Kate reveals she’s unsure how much Derek ‘will ever be able to recover’ after doctors warn he may never wake from coma
MARCH
Kate told the ITV documentary Finding Derek that she adapted her home to suit Derek’s needs when he was finally discharged from hospital.
Viewers praised the program for providing a heartbreaking look at the long-term effects of the coronavirus.
Kate also revealed that Derek ‘has no muscle’ since battling Covid
APRIL
Kate explained that Derek would finally be able to leave the hospital, but that he would need 24-hour care at home.
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Kate revealed that despite now being 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 said “I love you” for the first time.
After celebrating Christmas, Derek was also photographed in a wheelchair during a trip to the pantomime with his family
JANUARY 2022
Kate said Derek was “very tired” and “very weak” after the family outing, adding: “I don’t know what this year will bring.”
FEBRUARY
In the documentary Caring For Derek, Kate gave an insight into the daily struggle of caring for her husband as he struggles with long-term Covid
She also said that Derek would die within three days if he was left alone and had to fend for himself.
JULY
On July 6, Kate revealed that Derek had been hospitalized again after suffering a “breakdown.” In a later interview, she said she was taking the situation “day by day.”
On July 20, it was reported that Kate had stepped down as presenter of Good Morning Britain to be with Derek after he took a “very serious” turn.
The presenter told The Sun about the day: ‘At one point Derek said to me, “This is it, this time. I’m out.” It was just terrifying.
“His sepsis was heartbreaking for all of us as it was only discovered when it was about to end his life again.”
JANUARY 2023
Kate was overwhelmed when she confronted the former health minister Matt Hancock on his handling of the pandemic and his decision to continue I am a celebrity…Get me out of here.
Tears welled in her eyes and she looked up as she talked about Derek, who has been ill for almost three years.
Kate described the public anger towards him, adding of his decision: ‘It gives the impression that you still don’t understand why they’re angry. You still don’t understand why people are angry. They want to hold you more accountable.’
APRIL
Kate revealed that Derek was being treated again in hospital and 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 it’s a long road ahead but #eltonjohn and @davidfurnish you have given the children and Derek a moment we will never forget and have lifted their spirits and made them feel like anything is possible.’
It was also reported that Kate was planning a trip around the world to undergo a groundbreaking treatment in a ‘last hope’ to help her husband.
BE ABLE TO
Kate is said to have been hit with a huge tax bill of £716,000 after she was forced to close her husband’s business, two years after he contracted Covid-19.
The final amount will be paid in the coming weeks. Her friends are urging her to pay everything she owes.
A friend told The Sun: ‘The numbers are scary and Kate is of course concerned about the financial pressures, but she has to have faith in the process.
When the time comes, she is determined to pay back everything she owes.
It’s no secret that Kate has been working hard to keep her husband alive in recent years and that she has dealt with some heartbreaking situations in her personal life.
‘Unfortunately, in addition to the emotional stress of Derek’s terrible illnesses, the financial burden is also crippling.’
DECEMBER
Derek fought for his life after suffering a heart attack.
Kate kept watch over his bedside 24/7 and cancelled all work appointments while the family ‘prayed for a miracle’.
A source said: ‘It was a sudden and shocking event as he was doing so well and was in great spirits and was looking forward to spending Christmas at home with his family.
“This setback is a huge blow to his family and all those who care for him. Kate is by his side 24 hours a day, encouraging him to win this final fight for his life.
‘Derek has fought so many times and has always come out on top against all odds.’
JANUARY 2024
On January 5, Kate announced that Derek had passed away.
She said: ‘Derek was surrounded by his family during his final days and I was with him, holding his hand during those last long hours and when he passed away.
‘I have so much more to say, and of course I will in due time, but for now I would like to thank all the medical teams who fought so hard to save him and make his last moments as comfortable and dignified as possible.’
MailOnline has learned that he died in a north London hospital on January 3.
He is survived by his wife Kate and their children Darcey, 17, and son William, 14.