Derek Draper funeral latest: Kate Garraway lays husband to rest after heartbreaking Covid battle – with TV stars and politicians set to attend

Family, friends and stars from the worlds of TV and politics will gather at the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Primrose Hill this morning for Derek’s funeral.

M Draper was one of the first in Britain to become seriously ill COVID-19 and was admitted to an intensive care unit upon entering the country lockdown in March 2020.

He was one of the country’s longest-suffering Covid patients after being in hospital, but never fully restored after the virus caused long-term damage to his organs and left him requiring 24-hour care.

He had a heart attack before Christmas and never recovered. Kate revealed that Derek died as she held his hand “during the last long hours and as he passed away” on January 5.