Derek Draper death updates — Former PM shares emotional tribute as Kate Garraway’s husband dies after Covid battle
FORMER political advisor Derek Draper has died aged 56 following a long battle with illness.
His wife, TV star Kate Garraway, announced the heartbreaking news in a moving Instagram post on Friday, paying tribute to her "darling husband."
Following his passing, tributes from the political and media world flooded in, including from former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who penned an emotional message about the late strategist.
The former Labour leader said, "I am so sad to hear the news about Derek. My heart goes out to Kate and their children William and Darcey.
"It is extraordinary and remarkable that Derek survived so long after the ravages of Covid. And that was in large measure due to the love Derek had for his family and they for him.
"This also says something very special about Derek. He was a tough sometimes ruthless political operative, a brilliant adviser and someone you always wanted on your side. But underneath that tough exterior he was a loving, kind, generous and good natured man you wanted as a friend."
Follow our live blog below for the latest news and updates...
When did Derek die?
Derek sadly died on January 5 following a 4 year battle with Covid.
Kate confirmed the news in an Instagram post.
She wrote, “I’m sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away.
“As some of you may know he has been critically ill following a cardiac arrest in early December which, because of the damage inflicted by Covid in March 2020, led to further complications.
“Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed.”
Sir Elton John shares support for Kate Garraway
Music legend Sir Elton John shared his support for Kate Garraway following the death of her husband Derek Draper.
Responding to her statement on Instagram, Elton said, "So sorry to hear of this news, Kate.
"Love and thoughts to you and your family x."
Piers Morgan pays tribute to 'brilliantly clever and funny' Derek Draper
Piers Morgan shared a heartfelt tribute to Derek Draper following his death aged 56.
"RIP Derek Draper," he wrote on X/Twitter.
"A brilliantly clever & funny man who fought his covid health hell with such courage & resilience, helped every step of the way by his magnificent wife @kategarraway whose loyal, loving, selfless devotion was truly astounding. Heartbreaking news."
Kate Garraway fought financial battle to care for Derek Draper
ITV broadcaster Kate Garraway spent the last three years of her life caring for her husband's every need as he battled the crippling effects of Covid-19.
But combating Derek Draper's illness was not the only battle Kate has been fighting.
Derek's illness impacted the family emotionally and financially – with Kate hit by a £716,000 tax bill when she was forced to close his psychotherapy business.
Alastair Campbell pays tribute to ‘huge character’ Derek Draper
Former Labour strategist and journalist Alastair Campbell has paid tribute to Derel Draper.
Taking to X, he wrote: “Very sad to hear the news about Derek Draper.
“He was a huge character, a giver not a taker, and had so much more to give before Covid took its toll.
“Sad above all for @kategarraway and the children. Their love and support was profound and unshakeable to the end. RIP”
Derek’s political career
Derek’s political career kicked off in 1990, when he became the constituency secretary for MP Nick Brown.
Just two years later he left to work as a researcher for former Labour Cabinet Minister Peter Mandelson.
In 1996 he became a director of a lobbying firm called GPC Market Access, where he helped set up the New Labour organisation Progress.
During the late 1990s Derek also worked as the Political Editor of the Modern Review, an occasional columnist for the Daily Express, and a presenter on Talk Radio UK.
In 1998 he made headlines when he was caught up in a political scandal dubbed ‘Lobbygate’.
ITV boss honours Derek Draper following tragic death
ITV's managing director, Kevin Lygo, has paid tribute to Derek Draper following his passing.
A statement said, “Everyone that has worked with Kate at ITV over the past few years are desperately saddened to hear this terrible news.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Kate and Derek’s family and we will continue to offer our support in any way we can at this very difficult time.”
Celebs share heartfelt tributes
In response to Kate’s Instagram post today confirming the news of Derek’s death, many of her celebrity pals have shared tributes.
Carol Vorderman wrote: “Oh no Kate. I’m so very very sorry. Sending you and your beautiful family the deepest condolences.”
Lisa Snowdon added: “Kate. Sending you all so much love and strength at this heartbreaking time. So cruel and so sad. RIP Derek.”
Ben Shephard shares poignant tribute to Derek Draper
Kate Garraway's co-star Ben Shephard has paid tribute to Derek Draper in an emotional post.
"On what has been the saddest of days @kategarraway I’ve been reminding myself of the wonderful times and memories we have all shared together," he wrote on Instagram.
"This is how I’ll always think of Derek - bringing you so much joy, your smile says it all, the size of which is matched only by his love for you, Darcey and Bill. Sending all our love Kate to you and all the family.
"Also thank you to everyone who has reached out to me, I promise I will pass on your messages, I know they will bring kate so much comfort as they have for the last few years."
Corrie star hails Kate Garraway for documentary work
Coronation Street actress Sue Cleaver has praised Kate Garraway for her work highlighting the impact COVID-19 has on people's lives.
“We all got to accompany Kate on this terrible journey through these amazing documentaries that she made," Sue said.
“It was the darkest time of their lives, and yet she was still able to highlight the roles of carers everywhere today and my heart is just with them and so, so sorry to hear the news.”
Kate made two docs focusing on Derek's care, winning National Television Awards for both.
What did Kate say after Derek's passing?
Kate Garroway shared a heartbreaking tribute following the death of her husband Derek Draper
Her statement said, "I’m sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away.
"As some of you may know he has been critically ill following a cardiac arrest in early December which, because of the damage inflicted by Covid in March 2020, led to further complications.
"Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed."
She added, "I have so much more to say, and of course I will do so in due course, but for now I just want to thank all the medical teams who fought so hard to save him and to make his final moments as comfortable and dignified as possible.
"Sending so much love and thanks to all of you who have so generously given our family so much support. Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life."
Kate looks back on first date with Derek Draper
Speaking to , Kate recalled, “Derek arrived thinking it was a date and that I was being incredibly cool by ignoring him.”
She added, “He asked me out, but the day of our date called to say he had a clash.
“He’d promised to serve wine at an amateur watercolour painting exhibition at his church. I really thought it was a wind-up.
“But I turned up and he was indeed serving wine to the congregation in a salmon-pink jumper.”
Kate and Derek had planned second wedding
While Kate and Derek first married in 2005, 15 years later the pair were set to renew their vows with a second wedding.
Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to these plans.
Kate told Fabulous: “We’d planned the wedding for the end of summer, but I don’t suppose we’ll be booking anything now because we don’t really know what we can do.''
Kate was previously married to former Meridian boss Ian Rumsey from 1998 to 2002.
Kate spent Christmas by Derek's bedside
Kate Garraway and her two children spent Christmas by Derek Draper's bedside, as the former political advisor continued to battle illness.
Kate would cancel all TV and radio performances in order to be with her husband over the holidays.
At the time, a source said: “It’s been a heartbreaking time for Kate and, of course, poor Derek.
"Sadly, his condition remains much the same."
Kate Garraway's Life Stories will not air tonight
Following the tragic news of Derek’s passing, ITV have decided to pull Kate’s TV shows off air.
ITV was due to air an episode of tonight evening.
Bosses have now ditched the repeated episode, which featured Omid Djalili, from the schedule.
It’s been replaced by DNA Journey which will air from 11pm on ITV1.
Tributes continue to pour in
Charlotte Hawkins said she was "desperately sorry" to hear the news.
She added: "Kate, it's absolutely heartbreaking. So much love to you all."
She went on to ask for others to send Kate "love and prayers".
Alongside a photo of Kate and Derek, Charlotte posted to Instagram, she wrote: "Such desperately sad news about Derek.
"It's been an incredibly tough time for all the family & Kate has been so strong throughout all this - please send her your love & prayers so she knows we're all here for her."
When did Derek die?
Derek sadly died on January 5 following a 4 year battle with Covid.
Kate confirmed the news in an Instagram post.
She wrote: “I’m sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away.
“As some of you may know he has been critically ill following a cardiac arrest in early December which, because of the damage inflicted by Covid in March 2020, led to further complications.
“Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed."
How many children do Kate and Derek have?
Kate Garraway and Derek Draper had two children together.
Their first child together was a daughter called Darcey who was born on March 10, 2006.
They then had William, known as 'Billy', who was born on July 28, 2009.
Last photo of Derek Draper revealed
The emotional last photo of Derek Draper shows him as the dedicated husband he was – by wife Kate Garraway’s side.
Derek, who had been “fighting” until the end, sadly passed away yesterday after three long years of health battles.
Alastair Campbell pays tribute to 'huge character' Derek Draper
Former Labour strategist and journalist Alastair Campbell has paid tribute to Derel Draper.
Taking to X, he wrote: ";Very sad to hear the news about Derek Draper.
";He was a huge character, a giver not a taker, and had so much more to give before Covid took its toll.
"Sad above all for @kategarraway and the children. Their love and support was profound and unshakeable to the end. RIP"
Gordon Brown pays tribute
Former PM Gordon Brown has honoured the late Derek Draper.
Taking to X/Twitter, he wrote, "So sad that after such a brave struggle Derek Draper has lost his life as a result of Covid.
"I will remember him as brilliant, creative and multitalented, and our thoughts are with Kate, Darcey and Billy. RIP Derek."
Susana Reid pays tribute
Many friends and colleagues of Kate Garraway have paid tribute to Derek.
Taking to social media Susana Reid wrote: "Our whole hearts are with you all."
Elton John posted: "So sorry to hear of this news, Kate. Love and thoughts to you and your family x."
Derek was one of the longest-suffering Covid patients
Derek Draper was one of the country's longest-suffering Covid patients after contracting the virus back in 2020.
Since being discharged in 2021, Derek has been readmitted to hospital on numerous occasions.
Dereck suffered a heart attack on December 11 and was rushed to hospital.
Loose Women pays tribute
Kay Adams opened the show by paying tribute following the "saddest of news".
The ITV host said: "We have all been moved by Kate and her family's journey."
Linda Robson added: "They were my neighbours for many of years...It is really really sad."
She added: "They are the loveliest of families."
How did Kate and Derek meet?
The pair were introduced by ex-GMTV political editor Gloria De Piero and met up at Claridges in a group.
Speaking to , Kate recalled: "Derek arrived thinking it was a date and that I was being incredibly cool by ignoring him."
Kate added: "He asked me out, but the day of our date called to say he had a clash.
"He’d promised to serve wine at an amateur watercolour painting exhibition at his church. I really thought it was a wind-up.
"But I turned up and he was indeed serving wine to the congregation in a salmon-pink jumper."