SUPPORT FOR KATE
Kate Garraway’s GMB co-star Susanna Reid and Piers Morgan lead tributes as Derek Draper dies at 56
The TV presenter revealed her husband had lost his four year battle with Covid
KATE Garraway’s celebrity friends rushed to offer their support and pay tribute to Derek Draper following his death.
In a heartbreaking post, TV star Kate revealed he had passed away - as she held his hand - following a four-year battle with Covid.
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Derek, 56, was recently left fighting for life in hospital after suffering a massive heart attack.
It is understood he died at a north London hospital on Wednesday.
Kate’s followers and friends rushed to offer her support.
Her Good Morning Britain co-star Susanna Reid commented: "Our whole hearts are with you all."
Read More on Kate Garraway
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’
TalkTV and Sun Columnist Piers Morgan also paid a heartfelt tribute.
He wrote: "RIP Derek Draper. 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 Kate Garraway whose loyal, loving, selfless devotion was truly astounding. Heartbreaking news."
Ben Shephard also shared a message if support, saying:"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.
"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.
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"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."
Charlotte Hawkins also 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."
A statement from Good Morning Britain read: "We are sending all of our love to Kate Garraway following the heartbreaking news that her husband, Derek Draper, has died."
This Morning shared the news with viewers shortly after Kate's announcement.
Alison Hammond said: "We have some really said 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."
Lorraine Kelly commented on the news: "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."
The Loose Women also discussed the news today.
"It is really, really sad, they are the loveliest family," Linda Robson said.
Sue Cleaver added: "I think we all got to accompany Kate on this terrible journey on these amazing docs she made, the darkest times and she could highlight the roles of carers today.
"My heart is with them."
Elton John, who has been a huge support to Kate, commented: "So sorry to hear of this news, Kate. Love and thoughts to you and your family x"
Derek attended the Rocket Man's Farewell Yellow Brick Road concert at London's O2 Arena in April after being invited along with Garraway as the guests of honour.
Carol Vorderman wrote: “Oh no Kate. I'm so very very sorry. Sending you and your beautiful family the deepest condolences.”
Tamzin Outhwaite commented: “Oh Kate,so sorry. Sending you all so much love and strength.”
Lisa Snowdon added: “Kate. Sending you all so much love and strength at this heartbreaking time. So cruel and so sad. RIP Derek.”
Victoria Derbyshire shared: “Kate I am so so so sorry for you and your gorgeous children. As a family unit the four of you have been immense. Sending so much love and strength to you all.”
Simon Thomas shared his thoughts, having lost a spouse himself.
He wrote: "Kate I am so so sorry to read this. Such a huge loss to bear for you and the children. You’ve been an unbelievable rock for Derek through such incredibly tough times. Sending much love to you and the family x"
Kaye Adams commented: “In every way, you have demonstrated the strength of love . So sorry x”
And show contributor Richard Arnold said: “By your side always.”
Kate revealed she held Derek's hand as he passed away 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."
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.
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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.
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