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.