FINAL CONVERSATION
Kate Garraway reveals her daughter Darcey’s heartbreaking last words to dad Derek Draper and why she carried his coffin
Kate spoke about how the couple's children had been coping following the tragedy
GRIEVING Kate Garraway has revealed the heartbreaking words their daughter told Derek Draper before he died.
Darcey, 17, carried her dad's coffin at his funeral on Friday - attended by a host of celebs from across music, TV and politics.
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Speaking on Good Morning Britain today, Kate said her daughter showed huge strength in the hours before Derek's death.
She told the show: "It was a challenge to make sure he knew that he wasn't letting us down because he couldn't get through this last one.
";They were so beautiful, the children, about that."
And, holding back tears, Kate said Darcey's final heart-touching words to her dad before he died were: "Don't worry about us, don't worry about mum. We'll be fine because you live on through us."
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In a tear-jerking interview, surrounded by flowers and cards from well-wishers, Kate also revealed why Darcey carried the coffin.
She explained: "Darcey came into the room when we were talking about it and said 'please will you let me carry the coffin?'.
"And I thought 'Crikey that's a practical challenge', anybody who's ever done it, it's a heavy thing.
"She said 'I want to do it' and basically insisted on doing it and I thought that was a beautiful thing."
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Kate told viewers she will be back on GMB this week and also revealed son Billy, 14, returned to school today.
She added: "I said Dad has gone. Billy said 'I'm so sorry mum'. They've really taken on a caring role.
Kate Garraway shows Derek Draper's book condolence in emotional interview on GMB
"I'm so proud of them for them. We have to pick ourselves up, that's what Derek did and would want us to do."
Kate also showed viewers a book of condolences gifted to her by Susanna Reid and thanked the ITV team for the "love" they've shown.
Derek died aged just 56 on January 3 from Covid-19 complications - four years after contracting the disease.
Wife Kate wore his watch during the funeral held at St Mary's Church in Primrose Hill, North London, so "she could carry a little piece of him on the day".
Guests including Tony Blair, Elton John, Susanna Red, Ben Shephard, Keir Starmer and Myleene Klass all sang Lord of the Dance.
An insider told The Sun: "Kate, Darcey and Billy were so, so strong throughout, and would have been hugely touched by the incredible turn-out; it was testament to Derek's popularity in every area of his life."
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