06 January 2024 , 08:20
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Kate Garraway's courage and unwavering love for her husband has been clear to see ever since he contracted Covid four years ago, up until his heartbreaking death last week.
The GMB presenter has been by Derek's side as she dedicated her time to care for him from the moment he was first hospitalised. Throughout his time with Long Covid, Derek had endured a number of health battles before he sadly suffered a sudden heart attack in December, prompting Kate to cancel all upcoming TV and radio work in order to be there for him. Sadly, she revealed just weeks later that he had died.
While caring for Derek, Kate was hit with a number of financial strains, including a £716,000 tax bill when she was forced to close his psychotherapy business. Kate had also continued to work on TV and radio while juggling life with her children Darcey, 17, and Billy, 14, and caring for Derek.
Kate Garraway with late husband DerekKate previously addressed the financial toll of Derek’s illness, citing the “changes” she’d made to her home so that she can better care for her husband. She told : “Of course it’s been tough financially. As anyone with a loved one who is seriously ill knows, the costs go through the roof in so many ways. You have to make changes to your home and it affects your ability to work. I had to take long periods off when Derek was first sick, and of course it affects the overall income for the family as he can no longer work.”
On Friday morning, 56-year-old Kate released a statement on social media confirming that her husband of 19 years Derek, also 56, had died. The doting mum-of-two solemnly 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.
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"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."