Finding Derek fans in tears at Kate Garraway’s moving documentary about husband’s Covid battle with harrowing footage

VIEWERS 'struggled' to watch Finding Derek, the story of Kate Garraway and her husband's battle against Covid.

In the special one-off series which aired tonight, Kate opened up about her family's trauma in a new ITV documentary.

🔵 Read our Kate Garraway and Derek Draper live blog for news and updates ahead of Finding Derek on ITV tonight...

Her husband Derek Draper is thought to be the longest surviving Covid-19 inpatient in the UK and key moments in the harrowing documentary showed how he suffered in pain.

Derek has been isolated from his family in hospital for a year and at one point, emotionally confessed to Kate, "I can't go on".

The documentary also showed Kate raising their two children alone, while juggling work and finances, and also trying to get their home ready in case Derek could return.

At times very emotional - especially when Derek would be in tears - viewers paid tribute to Kate and her family, commending them all for their bravery.

"Finding Derek, feeling the pain for Derek. Absolutely heartbreaking but I’m equally in awe @kategarraway at the strength & determination you have to fight for him," wrote one Twitter user, adding, :#FindingDerek how anyone can say this virus is fake is beyond me, the after effects are equally as terrifying."

Another added: "Kate Garraway has been though a lot since her Husband fell ill with COVID and suffering the lifelong effects from it but Derek is a true fighter."

While a third said: "It has been a horrendous year and that was a tough watch @kategarraway but I really hope it has a happy ending for you and your family."

And a fourth wrote: "Kate is such an inspirational, strong, determined amazing woman. This has been hard to watch but so glad I've watched it."

While some viewers saw the documentary as proof of the seriousness of Covid and making sure to get the vaccine.

"I don’t know how anyone can watch #FindingDerek and still not think the sacrifices we have made this year have not been worth it, as a nurse we have seen it and are still seeing it and it’s so many families..get your vaccine, keep your distance and west a mask...it’s worth it," wrote one ITV viewer.

It comes as:

• Their son Billy shared his hope of playing Lego with his dad again
• Daughter Darcey revealed her fear of Derek dying
• Ben Shephard paid tribute to his 'brilliant' friend as he shared fears of a 'crash'
• Kate broke down in tears as Derek's first word out of his coma was 'pain'
• Derek sobbed in a video call from his hospital bed 

Derek has beaten Covid but has been unable to gain consciousness from his induced coma and is still in intensive care a year after catching the virus.

He has been left with kidney failure, damage to his liver and pancreas and heart failure.

The dad-of-two also has holes in his lungs from bacterial pneumonia and is fighting off several infections.

Good Morning Britain host Kate opened up about her husband’s health battle saying: “Derek is the sickest person the team of doctors have treated this year.

“Is he going to be able to come back or will he be alive but no longer the person he was?"

The screen fades to black as a caption reads: "One year later, Derek is still in hospital."

The 53-year-old presenter said she aims to help other people who are suffering.

She said: “This virus has impacted every single one of us.

"By telling the story of Derek’s illness and how it has altered our lives, I hope to be able to reach out to others who are suffering.

“If writing about my experience of facing fear, coping day to day with an uncertain future and finding streng­th for the sake of my kids can in some way help another who is feeling lost or in despair, it will mean a lot.”