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This Morning’s Alison and Dermot fight back tears as they pay tribute to Kate Garraway’s husband Derek after his death
THIS Morning stars Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary today paid an emotional tribute to Kate Garraway's husband Derek Draper following his death.
Good Morning Britain's Kate, 56, revealed today that Derek had sadly passed away at 56 after three long years of health battles.
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Speaking on This Morning shortly after Kate's announcement, Alison said: "We have some really sad news. Derek Draper, the husband of our very own Kate Garraway has sadly passed away."
Dermot read out Kate's statement, before Alison added: "We just want to say all of us here at This Morning are sending our love to you Kate and of course [Kate and Derek's children] Darcy and Billy."
It is understood he died at a north London hospital on Wednesday.
Sharing the tragic news on social media today, Kate said: "I'm sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away.
read More on Derek Draper
It comes as...
- Kate revealed she held her husband's hand as he died
- Derek's last photo shows him at pal Peter Mandeson's wedding
- 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
- ITV bosses will give Kate ‘as much time off as she needs’
"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."
Kate's GMB co-star Susanna Reid was among the first to send her condolences.
She commented on Kate's post: "Our whole hearts are with you all."
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Lorraine Kelly added: "So sorry Kate. You fought so hard. Just incredibly sad. Sending you love."
Carol Vorderman wrote: “Oh no Kate. I'm so very very sorry. Sending you and your beautiful family the deepest condolences.”
Since being discharged in 2021 after contracting Covid in 2020, 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, Derek was rushed to hospital after suffering a heart attack on December 11.
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