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...
Kate's appearance on Loose Women
Kate Garraway confirmed in November last year that Derek Draper was back in hospital.
The TV star said last year: "He's back in hospital at the moment. I haven't talked about this. Not for horrific drama fortunately.
Because there had been lots of, as we've all experiences, referrals and cancellations.
"He's gone back in for something that he began last year, which he needed the second part, which will hopefully mean he has more movement.
"So it's a positive hospital thing."
ITV's This Morning pays tribute
During today's show, This Morning hosts Dermot and Alisson shared the heartbreaking news about Derek.
Alison said: "We have some really said news. Derek Draper, the husband of our very own Kate Garraway has sadly passed away."
Dermot then proceeded to read out Kate's statement which was posted on Instagram.
Celebrity pals share messages of support
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.”
Derek Draper latest news
- Kate Garraway posted tragic tribute to her husband Derek Draper after he passed away in hospital on January 5
- Derek, 56, was left fighting for his life in hospital after suffering a massive heart attack December 11
- Derek had suffered devastating health problems after contracting the virus at the start of the pandemic in 2020
- Last photo of Derek revealed a dedicated husband by his wife's side as she was made OBE 6 months ago
- Kate wrote that she was 'sad to have to tell you my darling husband Derek has passed away'
- She revealed he was surrounded by family and she was by his side holding his hand throughout his last hours
Kate received praise for her documentary
Kate Garraway had previously been praised for her continued care for Derek which had been documented.
In March 2021 ITV released the award-winning documentary about Derek's battle with Covid - Kate Garraway: Finding Derek.
The emotional documentary details the toll put on the couple after Derek contracted Covid.
Kate Garraway announced the tragic news on Instagram
Kate announced the heartbreaking news in a moving Instagram post today.
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.
“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.”
When did Derek Draper contract Covid-19?
Kate kept the public updated on her husband’s condition after he was first diagnosed with Covid.
Derek was first rushed to hospital with Covid in March 2020, before spending 13 months there, after falling into a coma and being put on a ventilator.
He has since suffered ongoing health problems, with brain inflammation, kidney failure, and liver and pancreas damage – as well as having difficulty breathing unaided.
ITV pulls Kate Garraway's show pulled off air
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 tomorrow 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 flood in
Tributes to Dereck Draper have flooded in following the tragic news.
Taking to social media one person wrote: “Thinking of @kategarraway sending love at this heartbreaking time , the strength shown all through Derek’s battle has been amazing!”
A second wrote: “Very sad to hear about Derek, Kate’s documentaries were very brave and real. So sorry .”
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'.
Lorraine Kelly shares tribute
Lorraine Kelly commented on the news of Derek's passing: "So sorry Kate. You fought so hard. Just incredibly sad. Sending you love."
She added in another tribute: "THIS is just so sad. Our friend
@kategarraway has been so strong and brave. Thoughts with her and her children and family. She was right by his side until the end and did him proud. An astonishing woman."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."
Derek Draper's close friend breaks news live on TV
Sky news anchor Ian King was forced to break the news about his close friend, Derek Draper's death.
Ian said: "I'm afraid it's terribly sad news. Derek Draper, the husband of television presenter and journalist Kate Garraway and of course a well-known figure in British politics of the last 25 years, has died."
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 today 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."
Kate's appearance on Loose Women
Kate Garraway confirmed in November last year that Derek Draper was back in hospital.
The TV star said last year: "He's back in hospital at the moment. I haven't talked about this. Not for horrific drama fortunately.
Because there had been lots of, as we've all experiences, referrals and cancellations.
"He's gone back in for something that he began last year, which he needed the second part, which will hopefully mean he has more movement.
"So it's a positive hospital thing."
ITV's This Morning pays tribute
During today's show, This Morning hosts Dermot and Alisson shared the heartbreaking news about Derek.
Alison said: "We have some really said news. Derek Draper, the husband of our very own Kate Garraway has sadly passed away."
Dermot then proceeded to read out Kate's statement which was posted on Instagram.
Celebrity pals share messages of support
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.”