Derek is phenomenally fatigued and very weak, we don’t know what the New Year will bring, admits Kate Garraway

KATE Garraway's husband Derek Draper is "phenomenally fatigued and very weak" after struggling to recover from his first trip out of the house.

The TV presenter's fans were thrilled when wheelchair-bound Derek was pictured at the panto after his devastating battle with coronavirus.

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But his first family outing since being hospitalised in March 2020 has left him suffering ever since.

Now Kate, 54, has admitted "we don't know what the New Year will bring" after the 54-year-old has once again faced time in and out of hospital.

Kate - who was given an MBE in the New Year honours -  told Good Morning Britain today: "He's doing alright. He is phenomenally fatigued at the moment and very weak.

"After the trip to the panto he was then not out of bed afterwards, but I thought it was worth it and I know he did too because it was a special moment to be there holding hands with the children doing something normal.

"But it took everything out of him. We don't know what the New Year will bring.

"He was there looking smiley and present. The speech isn't there, but you can see he's aware something special is happening and he's part of it.

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"The morning of the panto I asked 'you're incredibly tired are you sure you still want to do this?' and he said 'yes, yes'."

Kate appeared on GMB to react to the news she's set to be awarded an MBE for her services to broadcasting, journalism and charity.

Host Susanna Reid curtsied to humble Kate before she explained: "I actually feel very awkward about it.

"I don't know why because I'm thrilled to bits and incredibly honoured. You think 'why me?'"

She also revealed she has suffered cruel trolling after being named in the honours list.

Kate said: "There have been a few comments from people saying I shouldn't have got it for looking after Derek.

"I've got it for broadcasting and charity work but there are lots of other people who deserve it.

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"Hopefully I have helped people highlight some of the problems ongoing."

In September 2021 Kate won the authored documentary prize at the National Television Awards for her hard-hitting documentary Finding Derek.

The programme charted her family's struggle to get her husband home from hospital after he became seriously ill with Covid-19 in March 2020.

Though Derek, a former political adviser, is now free of the virus, he has sustained long-lasting damage to his organs and his recovery is ongoing.

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