Derek Draper's heroic health battle in full as Kate Garraway announces death
Kate Garraway announced on Friday the death of her beloved husband Derek Draper after a long battle with covid.
The Good Morning Britain presenter had been keeping a vigil by his side as the psychologist and author once again fought for his life in hospital after he suffered a sudden heart attack in December. The 56-year-old had cancelled all upcoming TV and radio work in order to be there for him.
On January 5, Kate released a statement announcing the passing of the former lobbyist. He was surrounded by family 'in his final days'. Along with a picture of him, she posted on social media: "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."
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Before the announcement today, sources close to the family said they had been "praying for a miracle." "Derek suffered a massive heart attack earlier this week which has left him fighting for his life all over again," a source said in December.
March 2020 - First signs of virus
Derek Draper has died following a lengthy battle with his health after being diagnosed with Covid-19 (ITV)Derek fell victim to COVID-19 in March 2020 and was left critically ill and hospitalised for more than a year. One month later, a spokesperson for Kate was self-isolating at home she shared with her husband at children after also displaying symptoms, however, she had not been tested at that stage.
When he first fell ill with symptoms, Kate called Good Morning Britain colleague Dr Hilary Jones for help. At the time, Dr Hilary said: “I had spoken to Derek and I was concerned. I was really concerned just by the way he was speaking and his breathlessness and I told him to do a simple test, not a diagnostic test.
“All I asked him to do was hold his breath and see how long he could hold it for, and it was less than 10 seconds. I said: ‘Okay look, now is the time to call an ambulance’ and this was when he was admitted.”
A few days later, he was placed into a medically-induced coma.
April 2020 - Medically induced coma
On April 24, Derek was placed in a medically induced coma to help his body fight the effects of coronavirus. At the time, a distressed Kate revealed she would play his favourite songs to him and attempt to communicate with her husband via video call but wasn't sure if he could hear her.
After 200 days in the hospital, he mouthed his first word. Doctors were trying to move Derek in order to keep his blood circulating and to stop his body from seizing up. At that moment, he said his first word - 'pain'.
Kate said at the time: "We have had a breakthrough which was both amazing yet heartbreaking. It happened when the nurses were moving Derek, as part of his treatment, to trigger the sensation of gravity because he's been horizontal for so long."
June - Signs of hope
Derek has been 'in and out' of hospital (ITV)In June, the TV presenter said that Derek had fought off the Covid-19 infection but it had 'wreaked extraordinary havoc' on his body. Although he had recovered, she said he may remain in a coma for a year.
Kate shared that the 56-year-old had woken up from his coma in July 2020 but remained in a 'minimally conscious state.' As lockdown restrictions eased, it meant that the daytime host was able to visit Derek in person. Kate and her children weren't able to see Derek for four months.
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Speaking about her husband's recovery in September, Kate admitted Derek had shed eight stone while he was in a coma. She says it was a 'shock' to see him for the first time despite him being unconscious and wired up to several tubes. Derek's first word after regaining consciousness was 'pain' Kate had revealed at the time. After 214 days in hospital, he could breathe without a ventilator again.
March 2021 - family's struggle
Her husband returned home after a year in hospitalIt had been a year since Derek was admitted to the hospital when Kate released her documentary series on ITV, titled Caring for Derek. On March 23, 2021, she was able to open up about her family's struggle, and the turbulent year they had with viewers.
The eye-opening documentary followed Kate's husband's adjustment to living at home after over a year in the hospital following his Covid battle. During the show, it had been revealed that Kate had taken Derek to Mexico in order to take part in a ground-breaking trial.
Viewers even got to witness Derek celebrating his 54th birthday and how he needed Kate's and a carer's help to get up and move about.
April 2021 - Derek allowed home
Kate rejoiced as she was finally able to reveal her husband finally returned home on April 8 and said that he would need to receive round-the-clock care. Live on Good Morning Britain, the former I'm A Celebrity star said that Derek's 'communication is very minimal’ and 'he can’t really move.'
Later that year, she packed up Derek's office after putting it off because it was 'too emotional.' In January, the family hit the town to see a panto, but Derek was in a dire state. "We thought it was worth it and I know he did too," she said. "It took everything out of him. We don’t know what this year is going to bring."
April 2022 - Derek returns to hospital
Kate had an emotional moment in April 2022, when she was reunited with the nurse who took care of Derek. They pair hugged live on Good Morning Britain, where Kate had interviewed his carer, Beth Dixon.
Sadly, two months later, Kate tragically confessed that Derek was 'in and out' of hospital, leaving her 'exhausted and very fretful.' Speaking at the Tric Awards in London, she responded to a question from The Sun about Derek: "He’s ok, he’s back in hospital actually, so that’s a development. There we are."
Kate pulls out of presenting Good Morning Britain as a source says the family are 'very worried' about Derek’s condition. An ITV spokesperson said: "Kate is taking some time off work over the next few days, and is hoping to be back to her normal presenting duties as soon as possible."
January 2023 - Rushed to hospital
He fell out of his char in January 2023In January 2023, Kate revealed that she was left feeling distressed after her husband 'fell out of a wheelchair' as they were forced to seek alternative transport due to long waiting times for ambulances and other hospital transport.
Kate said: "I was really lucky because the cab driver, a black cab driver, that had mobility access, his father he had cared for post a stroke. So he was really good at handling someone with that condition. So the two of us were hauling him back into the wheelchair, strapping him in and got him home."
The family had their first family outing in March 2023. Kate Garraway visited Disneyland Paris with her son Billy and daughter Darcy before Derek became seriously unwell. Just a few weeks later, Derek returned home again after being rushed to hospital.
Derek was able to watch the proud moment his TV presenter wife was awarded an MBE by Prince William for her services to broadcasting, journalism and charity. She received the honour in July.
In September, Kate opened up on her husband Derek Draper's ongoing health battle and said she and her children are still living with the possibility that her husband could die at any minute.
December 2023 - heart attack
Just last month, she shared that he had suffered a health setback and was re-admitted to hospital. "He is living in the world of the unknown, when he wakes up in the morning it is heartbreaking because it feels as though you are watching someone who may have been inhabiting his old life in his dreams and then he wakes up and you see the cloud descend of the battle he has ahead," she shared.
Kate's GMB colleagues provided an update on his condition, with Charlotte Hawkins telling viewers: "We wanted to start with an update. You may have seen in the news over the weekend that Derek, Kate's husband, is sadly in a very serious condition at the moment."
Richard Madeley said: "We just want to let Derek, Kate and of course the whole family know we are all here thinking of them, and we know many of you are as well, and that all of us send them our very, very best wishes at what is a very, very difficult time." Hawkins added: "It is indeed. Lots of love from all of us."
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