>
An emotional Kate Garraway reflected on her husband Derek Draper’s recovery from Covid on ITV’s DNA Journey on Thursday night.
The 55-year-old Good Morning Britain presenter appeared on the show with fellow presenter Alison Hammond to trace her ancestry, but began by explaining how Derek “remains very damaged” as she spoke about her current family situation.
Derek is one of the longest-suffering Covid patients in the UK after being hospitalized with the virus in March 2020 and only returning home in April 2021, where he receives 24-hour care.
Tough: An emotional Kate Garraway reflected on her husband Derek Draper’s recovery from Covid on ITV’s DNA Journey Thursday night
During the show, Kate said, “2020 has been a devastating year. With Derek, he became very ill very early in the pandemic and has remained very damaged.
“That’s pretty well documented, because for a lot of people, he’s come to symbolize the fight that’s going on.”
Kate also praised Alison – who she appeared with on the show – for being such a support to her during the tough times with Derek.
Difficult: The 55-year-old Good Morning Britain presenter appeared on the show with fellow presenter Alison Hammond to find out her parentage, but began by sharing how Derek “remains very damaged” as she spoke about her current family situation
“Alison, she messaged me to say she was thinking of me that way,” Kate explained.
Kate shares her two children – William, 13, and Darcey, 16 – with her husband and juggles raising her children taking care of Derek and hosting Good Morning Britain.
The broadcaster revealed in July that Derek was back in the hospital, but he has since returned home.
Illness: Derek is one of the longest-suffering Covid patients in the UK after being hospitalized with the virus in March 2020 and only returning home in April 2021, where he will receive 24-hour care
Recovery: Kate said during the show, “2020 has been a devastating year. With Derek, he became very ill very early in the pandemic and has remained very damaged.”
He was released from hospital last year but still requires 24-hour care and daily medication amid his ongoing battle with prolonged Covid.
Kate previously admitted that Derek could die if left unaided for more than three days. He is bedridden and Kate does much of the care herself.
Also on DNA Journey, Alison delved into her past during a trip to Jamaica with Kate.
The star, 47, was told about her great-great-grandfather Jean Marie Escofferey being illegally deported from Jamaica to the Dominican Republic.
Story: Also on DNA Journey, Alison delved into her past during a trip to Jamaica with Kate
Alison then discovered that he had been falsely accused of criminal activity related to the sale of weapons before a public inquiry proved him innocent and was returned to his hometown.
Jean then got £16,000 in damage – which would be worth around £50 million in today’s money.
After hearing Alison’s story, many took to Twitter to respond, with one saying, “@AlisonHammond’s family story is an emotionally inspiring great story. A movie waiting to be made & should be…..real life & a history everyone should know.’
History: The star, 47, was told about her great-great-grandfather Jean Marie Escofferey being illegally deported from Jamaica to the Dominican Republic
Another said: ‘I love this episode of DNA Journey. I love the story of relatives of Alisons who fight against racial injustice and oppose slavery. Fantastic, moving and LOL funny.’
A third wrote: ‘Watching #DNAJourney is always such a roller coaster of emotions, but I absolutely love it!’
Also on DNA Journey, Kate discovered that she is related to the creator of Paddington Bear, Michael Bond.
During the show, Kate was introduced to Karen Jankel, the late author’s daughter, as it was revealed that the couple share the same three-times great-grandparents.
Response: After hearing Alison’s story, many took to Twitter to respond, with one saying, ‘@AlisonHammond’s family story is an emotionally inspiring great story. A movie waiting to be made and should be…..real life and a history that everyone should know’
They shared an emotional hug after a poignant meeting near London’s railway station, which goes by the name of Paddington.
The children’s book character famously arrived in London from the deepest, darkest jungles of Peru, first appearing in print in 1958 in the book A Bear Called Paddington.
Karen told Kate she wanted to introduce her to her “famous brother,” before revealing a plush toy from Paddington Bear — complete with a travel tag that reads “Darkest Peru.”
“Paddington and I grew up together,” she told her.
Surprising news: Also on DNA Journey, Kate discovered that she is related to the creator of Paddington Bear, Michael Bond
“The reason is that my father was Michael Bond, the creator of Paddington, which means, of course, you’re related to Michael Bond too.”
She said of the marmalade-loving bear, “He was always part of my family. He is so real to our family, and now to your family, because he is a member of the family.
“He always sat at the table during meals and my father talked to him and talked to us through him. I never knew anything else, of course, because he was always there.’
Karen showed Kate her too copy of the first edition of A Bear Called Paddington, signed by her father in September 1959.
“It was always my absolute favorite growing up,” Kate admitted.
“I’ve been told over the years that I have a whiff of Paddington Bear about me and that’s because he unintentionally causes an extraordinary amount of chaos.”
The TV star also joked that she regularly ate marmalade sandwiches during her time in college.
British author Michael Bond published more than 20 books featuring Paddington Bear before his death in June 2017 at the age of 91.
Wow! During the show, Kate was introduced to Karen Jankel, the late author’s daughter, as it was revealed that the couple share the same three-times great-grandparents.
His creation — known for his battered hat, briefcase and duffle coat — remains a classic among children’s writing and can be seen in a sketch with the Queen at her platinum anniversary celebrations this year.
The Queen had entranced millions of viewers after appearing in the cartoon with the bear to kick off the party at The Palace Jubilee Concert on June 4.
The pair had together tapped the beat of Queen’s We Will Rock You song on china teacups with silver spoons as a unique way to get the party started.
The skit, which the Queen spent half a day filming, was hailed by the British as better than her Olympic opening show with James Bond.
After the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, people also left Paddington Bear toys at Buckingham Palace in memory of Her Majesty.
Emotional social media users also shared poignant tributes showing the Queen walking into the sunset with Paddington after the sad news of her death.
The Paddington books have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide and have been translated into approximately 30 languages.
The episode of DNA Journey also saw Kate visit Bristol with Alison Hammond to hear about her distant relative Frederick Lambert, her first cousin three generations away.
Frederick lived and worked as a photographer in the city in the 1840s when he was still a teenager.
In a preview clip shared on Instagram by Alison, Kate and the This Morning host joked that they could find out they were cousins on the show.
“Would it change the way you treated me?” Alison asked Kate. “Do you think you’d come to my house more often?” To which Kate replied humorously, “Look… do you think you’d invite me?”
DNA Journey airs Thursdays on ITV at 9pm.
Family: British author Michael Bond (pictured with his daughter Karen) published over 20 books featuring Paddington Bear before his death in June 2017 at the age of 91