Kate Garraway’s final farewell to Derek Draper: How the GMB star honoured her husband’s dying wish to tell his story in his own words with emotional new documentary marking his plight
MARCH 2020
Kate revealed 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 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 difficulty 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, 52, was taken to hospital on March 30 and remained in an unresponsive state.
APRIL
Kate and her children have been self-isolating after she showed ‘mild symptoms’.
Kate 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.”
That month, Kate and her family took part in the latest blow to 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 revealed that Derek is now free from coronavirus but continues to battle the damage done to his body
JULY
On July 5, Kate revealed that Derek has emerged from his coma, but his condition remains serious.
On July 8, she announced she would return to GMB after being urged by doctors to ‘get on with life’ during Derek’s recovery.
She added that Derek had ‘opened his eyes’ after waking from his coma, but was told his recovery could take years.
On July 13, Kate returned to GMB for the first time since Derek was in hospital.
On July 28, Kate revealed she had an “extra emotional” first visit with Derek, admitting 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 waiting game.”
On August 19, Kate revealed she was celebrating Derek’s birthday with their two children, describing the day as “challenging” for her family.
SEPTEMBER
In late September, Derek reportedly becomes the longest-living coronavirus patient after spending 184 days in and out of intensive care.
Kate reveals that Derek lost eight stone during his fight.
The host 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.
A day later, Kate reports that her husband no longer needs a ventilator to breathe.
NOVEMBER
Kate reveals her family car has been stolen in the latest blow to her family life, as kind-hearted fans offer their cars to help.
She says she feels “physically ill” at the prospect of her first Christmas without Derek.
DECEMBER
The GMB star tells viewers her dream is to visit Derek on Christmas Day.
She also reveals that she missed two weeks of GMB after her children were exposed to the virus, but luckily she and the children tested negative.
Live on GMB on December 17, Kate has an emotional conversation with two nurses who treated Derek when he was first admitted to Whittington Hospital in North London.
On New Year’s Eve, she reflects on a “disastrous” Christmas without Derek, when her house was flooded and she struggled to deliver food until her friend Emma Willis stepped in to help.
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.
FEBRUARY
Kate reveals she’s not sure how much Derek ‘will ever be able to recover’ after doctors warn he may never wake from coma
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 the coronavirus.
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.
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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’, and in a later interview she said she is taking things ‘day by day’.
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.
Reflecting on the day, the presenter told The Sun: ‘At one point Derek said to me: “This is it, this time. I’m away.” It was just terrifying.
‘His sepsis was heartbreaking for all of us as it had gone undiagnosed to the point where it was about to end his life again.’
JANUARY 2023
Kate became overwhelmed when she confronted the former health minister Matt Hancock about his handling of the pandemic and his decision to continue 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 around the world for groundbreaking treatment in a ‘last hope’ to help her husband.
BE ABLE TO
Kate reportedly faced a huge £716,000 tax bill after being forced to close her husband’s business two years after he was struck by Covid-19.
The final total will be settled in the coming weeks, with friends insisting she will pay what is owed.
A friend told The Sun: ‘The figures are scary and Kate is obviously worried about all the financial pressure, but she has to have confidence in the process.
“When it comes to an end, she is determined to pay back everything she is owed.
“It’s no secret that Kate has fought to keep her husband alive over the years and has endured some heartbreaking situations in her personal life.
“Unfortunately, in addition to the emotional stress of Derek’s devastating illnesses, the financial burden is also crippling.”
DECEMBER
Derek had to fight for his life after suffering a heart attack.
Kate kept a 24/7 vigil at his bedside, canceling all work commitments as the family ‘prayed for a miracle’.
A source said: ‘It was sudden and a shock because he was doing so well and was in good spirits and looking forward to Christmas at home with the family.
‘This setback has been a huge blow to his family and all the people who care for him. Kate is by his side 24 hours a day, preparing him to win this final battle for his life.
“Derek has fought so many times and always, against all odds, come out on the other side.”
JANUARY 2024
Kate announced on January 5 that Derek had passed away.
She said: “Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I stood by his side and held his hand through 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 ‘.
MailOnline understands 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.