Kate Garraway's worrying update on Derek Draper as he's 'not doing well'

09 October 2023 , 19:16

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Kate Garraway's worrying update on Derek Draper as he's 'not doing well'

Kate Garraway has shared a worrying update on her husband Derek Draper, revealing that the 56-year-old isn't doing well as he continues his battle with Long Covid.

The former Labour lobbyist was first hospitalized in March 2020 with coronavirus, after suffering numbness in his hand, headaches and breathlessness. Despite being declared free of COVID-19 following 10 weeks in a medically induced coma, he has been left with long-term complications since contracting the virus. He was discharged on a trial basis in April 2021 but has been readmitted to the wards multiple times with numerous health issues, including kidney failure, brain inflammation and liver damage.

Speaking at the Pride of Britain Awards on Sunday, Kate admitted that Derek isn't showing signs of improvement right now. "He’s not doing great, to be honest. But the battle goes on," the Good Morning Britain host told Metro.

Garraway also said that she had secured a meeting with Steve Barclay after a recent on-air plea to speak to the health secretary privately about the people stuck in the healthcare system long term.

Kate Garraway has revealed husband Derek isn't doing 'great' at the moment (Getty Images)

Kate Garraway has been caring for husband Derek Draper since he fell ill in 2020 (Brett D. Cove / SplashNews.com)

"I’d like to come and talk to you – not about Derek by the way, this is not me trying to get something for him," she tearfully told him during the virtual interview. "This is about representing millions of people across the country who, like me, in one hand feel like they’re holding the life of their loved one and in the other hand punching away at a system and it isn’t about money."

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Kate also recently admitted she's constantly worried about losing Derek, who now requires full-time care on the ground floor of the couple's London home.

Kate Garraway concerns fans with 'honest' update on husband Derek's health (INSTAGRAM/ITV)

"I'd love to be able to tell you that, since Derek has been home, everything has been easy, that the miracle of him being at home has turned the day-to-day challenges into a breeze," she told Good Housekeeping.

“But because we keep having emergency setbacks and he’s had to be rushed back into hospital so many times, the fear of him dying has never left us."

Kate and Derek, who have been married since 2005, are the proud parents of Darcey, 17, and fourteen-year-old William. The GMB presenter has previously commended the teenagers for their handling of their father's condition, revealing that they've navigated it "brilliantly" and have readjusted to living differently since his decline.

Kate has also admitted Derek's illness has negatively affected her own health, even resulting in her being hospitalized with chest pains from extreme stress.

Emma Dooney