'rest gently now'
Kate Garraway’s heartbreaking tribute to Derek Draper in full as she says ‘I was so lucky to have you in my life’
Sources said everyone had been 'praying for a miracle'
A HEARTBROKEN Kate Garraway has paid tribute to her darling husband writing: "I was so lucky to have you in my life."
Derek Draper, 56, was recently left fighting for life in hospital after suffering a massive heart attack.
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Wife Kate Garraway today shared the devastating news he had passed away.
It is understood he died at a North London hospital on Wednesday.
She took to Instagram and 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.
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"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.
It comes as...
- Kate revealed she held her husband's hand as he died
- Derek's last photo shows him with the GMB presenter as she received an MBE
- Kate's co-stars including Susanna Reid have led tributes to the dad-of-two
- Derek's health battles revealed after he suffered heart attack before Christmas
"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.
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"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."
Derek had suffered devastating health problems after contracting the virus at the start of the pandemic in 2020.
He was placed in an induced coma after contracting the virus and was placed on a ventilator.
Derek later became the nation's longest-suffering Covid patient after spending 13 months in hospital.
Since being discharged in 2021, Derek has been readmitted to hospital on numerous occasions.
He was diagnosed with "life-threatening" sepsis and a kidney infection, which Kate later described as "dramatic but under control".
Most recently, he was rushed to hospital after suffering a heart attack on December 11.
Good Morning Britain host Kate cancelled all TV and radio work while she kept a 24/7 vigil at his bedside.
The presenter reportedly spent Christmas at hospital with the couple's two children Darcey, 17, and Billy, 14.
A source said at the time: "Everyone is praying for a miracle.
“Derek suffered a massive heart attack earlier this week which has left him fighting for his life all over again.
“It was sudden and a shock as he had been doing so well and was in great spirits, looking forward to Christmas at home with the family.
“This setback has been a huge blow for his family and all the people caring for him.
"Kate is by his side 24 hours a day and is willing him on to win this latest battle for his life.
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“Derek has fought so many times, and always, against all odds, come out the other side.
“Kate has been utterly incredible — by his side while being an amazing mum to Darcey and Billy, and trying to manage their expectations of a family Christmas.”
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