Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper takes ‘very serious’ turn for the worse as she pulls out of GMB to be at hospital

ANXIOUS telly favourite Kate Garraway has pulled out of hosting Good Morning Britain this week to be at her husband Derek’s bedside – after he was taken back to hospital.

Those close to the family told The Sun the 54-year-old remains “seriously unwell” – having struggled to overcome major health problems after he contracted Covid in 2020, and he has been taken back to hospital for specialist care.

Derek eventually became the nation’s longest suffering patient after spending 13 months in hospital.

Devoted Kate, 55, is by his side in the hospital where Derek is being monitored by leading consultants.

The popular presenter, who also pulled out of her mid-morning radio show on Smooth FM, told just weeks ago how she had hoped he was improving after another stint on a hospital ward.

A source said: “Derek has been taken back to hospital this morning in a very serious condition.

“The family are very worried about him but Derek is in the best hands.

“Kate is by his side and is keeping it together as best she can. She’s a total professional and devoted to her work – both on Good Morning Britain and Smooth - but she had no choice but to step away this week to be there with him.

“This is an incredibly difficult time for her and their family.”

Kate said earlier this month she was “exhausted” after shuttling Derek back and forth from the hospital appointments, with doctors regularly monitoring his condition and attempting to help him recover.

He had been spending time at home with Kate and their two children, Darcey, 16, and Billy, 12, before an unexpected downturn forced him to return to hospital.

Speaking to The Sun previously, Kate said she tried to keep a smile on her face despite the hardships they faced.

Kate said: “I try to embrace life, especially the kids as we’ve had two and a half years of it.

“Their lives have changed and they need to do things.

“I’ve shown Derek pictures of Darcey in her prom dress, and now he can press one button and FaceTime her.

“It was emotional and strange seeing her all grown up on the night.”

Derek’s progress has been documented in two ITV films, Finding Derek and Caring For Derek.

Kate helped nurse her husband back to health around the clock after the former Labour advisor returned to their London home. 

It took months before Derek was able to tell his wife he "loves her" again - which was the first time since he became unwell.

She revealed in the second film that she secretly flew Derek to North America for a ground-breaking medical trial in November.