Kate Garraway shares update after husband Derek Draper’s death as GMB star in ‘strange bubble of numbness and grief’

KATE Garraway has shared an update after the death of her husband Derek Draper.

Derek, 56, who became known as the nation's longest-suffering Covid patient, died last week after a four-year ordeal.

Last week Kate revealed she will be "taking time to heal" after losing her husband.

And now she has given her Good Morning Britain colleagues an update.

Ben Shepard this morning told how fans have stopped him on the street several times with condolences to pass on to Kate.

He added: "Stories like that that I have been reciecing through my DMs and on the street has been so overwhelming and that's what Kate said.

"She just can't explain how important that has been for her, to know there's so much support for what she's been through.

"She said she's sort of been in a strange bubble of her own numbness and grief at the moment."

In March 2020, Derek was rushed to hospital due to a Covid infection, which sparked years of heartbreaking health battles.

After being taken to hospital, Derek spent 214 days on a ventilator, nearly four months in an induced coma and lost eight stone, as well as his ability to speak properly.

After he moved back home in April 2021, Derek required round the clock care and was rushed back to hospital with "life-threatening" sepsis in August the following year.

Following this, Derek was struck down with more ill-health.

In December 2023, Kate was by her husband's side once more after he suffered a huge heart attack.

Sadly, last week, he passed away following his ongoing health battle.

Kate revealed she held her husband's hand as he passed away in a moving 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.

"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."

Last night Pies Morgan, who hosted GMB with Kate when he fell ill, wrote for The Sun about Kate's bravery during Derek's illness and gave an insight into their remarkable marriage .