Piers Morgan left stunned as he speaks to Kate Garraway’s husband Derek for the first time since he fell seriously ill

column, Piers told how his former Good Morning Britain colleague surprised him by allowing him to talk to Derek, who is receiving round the clock care at the couple's London home.

He writes: "‘Derek!’ I cried. ‘It’s so good to talk to you!’

"There was a slight pause and then I heard a familiar male voice say very clearly and strongly: ‘Hello!’

"I was stunned, again."

Piers last spoke to Derek at a Christmas party two years ago and couldn't believe Derek was able to interact with him so clearly.

He continues: "‘HELLO!’ I stammered back. ‘It’s great to hear your voice again. Keep battling, Derek – we’re all so proud of you!’

"There was another pause, then I heard him say the words ‘Thank you’ – again, very clearly.

"It was a strange, thrilling experience."

The moment moved Derek's carers to tears such were the rarity of his words.

Kate even joked that Piers' voice could have "miracle" healing powers - although it wasn't a thought she was keen to dwell on.

Just last week Kate gave an emotional update on Derek's condition in an episode of BBC2's Walking With.

She said: "I’ve had moments of great loneliness and fear. It’s hard because the person I wanted to give me a hug is the person that can’t – and that’s Derek."

Derek spent more than a year in hospital after contracting Covid. The illness led to him being placed into a medically-induced coma during which time he suffered long-term damage to his organs.

Kate, who shares children Darcy, 15, and 11-year-old Billy with Derek, discussed the challenges they're facing as a family as she walked from Painswick Beacon, Gloucestershire to Great Witcombe.