Kate Garraway 'praying' as Derek 'fights for his life' after heart attack
Kate Garraway is said to be keeping a vigil by husband Derek Draper's side as he reportedly fights for his life following a heart attack.
The former lobbyist fell victim to Covid-19 in early 2020, and was left critically ill and hospitalised for more than a year. Since then, Kate has supported her spouse and used her platform to raise awareness of those still suffering after contracting the viral disease.
Following Derek's latest health crisis, it's reported Kate has cancelled all upcoming TV and radio work in order to be there for her husband - including taking a leave of absence from ITV programme Good Morning Britain.
It's claimed Derek was taken dangerously ill last Monday, with friends and family thought to have been alerted to his worsening condition. "Everyone is praying for a miracle," a source has said. "Derek suffered a massive heart attack earlier this week which has left him fighting for his life all over again."
Kate Garraway's husband is reportedly fighting for his life once again (ITV)The source went on to tell The Sun: "It was sudden and a shock as he had been doing so well and was in great spirits, looking forward to Christmas at home with the family. This setback has been a huge blow for his family and all the people caring for him."
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They continued to share that Kate is "by his side 24 hours a day" and is willing her husband to make it through his latest battle and once again beat the odds to "come out on the other side". The source added how Kate has been incredible while supporting her partner alongside caring for their two children, Darcey and Billy.
Kate had previously said that she had been hoping to have a relaxed Christmas this year, though he went to hospital to have some treatment in early December.
"I've managed to get it in before the end of the year. It's something we were trying to do in the summer but you know there are referrals and time and all of those things." Kate and Derek, who tied the knot in 2005, hope to host the whole family at their home in north London. "It's a practical solution because it's quite challenging for Derek to travel," Kate explained. "So it's easier for people to come to us, which means they have to suffer my cooking!"
"We'll just get as much of the family, the Drapers and the Garraways, together – even if it's not all on one day," shares Kate. "We're treating it as a four or five day season this year, so I'm going to be doing a lot of cooking. My mum and dad have already sorted the turkey from a farm where they live."
The lives of Kate Garraway, Derek Draper and their children Darcey and Billy were changed forever in March 2020 (Mirrorpix)
Kate has tried her best to perfect Christmas for her children (pixel8000)It comes after Kate recently admitted that she's still constantly worried about losing Derek, who now requires full-time care on the ground floor of the couple's London home. "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." 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 hospitalised with chest pains from extreme stress. “I’ve been experimenting with ways to take control of my own happiness. I now deliberately carve out time to give myself the gift of doing something that only helps me," she said. "It might be only 10 minutes of something physical, such as stretching, pottering in the garden with a mug of tea, or reading something not related to work. And I’ve put some fun girls’ nights in the diary with Charlotte Hawkins, Ranvir Singh and Susanna Reid.”
Derek's heartbreaking health battle began back in March 2020 when he was hospitalised with Covid-19 at the start of the global pandemic. The writer fell into a coma and was put on a ventilator - becoming Britain's longest suffering Covid-19 victim as he spent 13 months in hospital.
He returned home from hospital in April 2021 but still requires care and assistance, as he struggles to return to full health following first contracting the viral disease. After winning her NTA in September 2021, Kate opened up about the reality of caring for a loved one and the state of social care in the United Kingdom.
Kate with Derek and parents Gordon and Marylyn as she is awarded an MBE for services to Broadcasting, to Journalism and to Charity (Justin Ng/Avalon/REX/Shutterstock)"There is a lot of challenges that we're facing now. I am now experiencing being a carer, and the challenges that are there," the broadcaster told reporters after winning the gong for Best Documentary. "We all know social care has been in the headlines for lots of reasons and for lots of reasons people need support with health and social care," she continued.
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She added: "There are definitely more stories to tell. Let's hope that Derek's voice will be giving those stories. We know he's in there. We just have to get him out."
Kate has also touched upon how Derek's ongoing battle has found her experiencing extreme highs and lows as they tried to navigate life as a family over the last three years. "I must admit it has been so tough to write but that’s because I have had to go into some of my darkest thoughts and experiences but I also wanted it to be a positive read for you too," she said of writing her book The Strength of Love. "I have so much to be thankful for and so many people have shared so much love with me and my family, and I really wanted to share something helpful back.
"This book is about Derek’s ongoing battle to take back control of his body and mind, the amazing people who have helped us along the way and how love in all its forms can pull you to the brink one moment, and lift you up the next. We are all learning how to deal with the vast multitude of changes we have experienced in recent times while trying to navigate through life the best way we can. I know I am far from alone in wrestling with these challenges, I just hope some of the lessons I have learnt will help you in your daily battles too, whatever they are."
The Mirror has approached representatives for Kate and ITV for comment on this story.
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