Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper has died aged 56 after battling coronavirus for years, the TV presenter confirmed today.
Derek suffered health problems after contracting the virus in March 2020, which left him in a coma, blood poisoning and communication problems.
The former lobbyist and political consultant suffered a cardiac arrest in early December and Kate spent Christmas with him in hospital.
In a statement on Instagram this morning, she revealed that the father-of-two died “surrounded by his family” and that she “held his hand during the last long hours and when he died.”
Here MailOnline describes his fight against Long Covid.
Derek (56), who has had health problems since contracting Covid in 2020, is said to be in a critical condition (pictured in June with Kate’s parents Gordon and Marilyn).
Kate revealed that she was holding her husband’s hand when she died
MARCH 2020
Derek contracted the virus in March 2020.
Kate revealed at the Prince’s Trust Awards on March 11 that she had a “relatively close” relationship with King Charles, who was later diagnosed with Covid.
Around March 29, she revealed that Derek looked sick and had diabetes Headache, numbness in the right hand and difficulty breathing.
She said: “I have dr. “Hilary (Jones) called and tried to get through, he spoke to Derek.” He says: “Call me back, I think you should call an ambulance.”
On March 30, Derek was taken to hospital where he was unresponsive.
READ MORE: Kate Garraway says ‘I was so lucky to have you in my life’ in emotional tribute to husband Derek Draper after weeks of vigil at his bedside – after giving up all her TV commitments to be with him in his final days to be
Kate Garraway watched her husband Derek Draper fight for his life as he suffered a heart attack
APRIL
Derek was admitted to intensive care and was “very ill,” Kate said at the time.
She added: “I’m afraid his condition is still very critical but he is still here which means there is hope.”
Kate and her children had to self-isolate after she showed “mild symptoms”.
CAN
Kate confirmed that Derek is still fighting for his life in hospital.
She said: “The journey for me and my family seems far from over as every day my heart sinks as I learn how this virus will bring Derek even more struggles.”
“But he is still HERE and so there is still hope.”
She added: “I will never give it up because Derek is the love of my life, but at the same time I have absolute insecurity.”
JUNE
On June 5, Kate revealed that although Derek did not have Covid, he was still dealing with the damage the virus had done to his body.
JULY
On July 5, Kate announced that Derek had woken up from his coma, but was still in a serious condition.
Later that month, Kate revealed her first visit with Derek was “particularly emotional” and admitted she was “frustrated” by his slow progress.
AUGUST
On August 14, Kate reassured GMB viewers that Derek was “still with us”, but added that it was “a holding pattern”.
Later that month, Kate revealed that she had celebrated Derek’s birthday with her two children, describing the day as “challenging” for her family.
SEPTEMBER
Derek will reportedly become the longest-living patient with Covid by the end of September, having spent 184 days in and out of intensive care.
Kate reveals that Derek lost the 8th during his fight.
The presenter announced that she would be returning to her Smooth Radio show so Derek could hear her voice.
OCTOBER
On October 30, Kate revealed that Derek spoke for the first time in seven months and said the word “pain” to his wife, who watched on FaceTime “in tears”.
Kate said a day later that her husband was feeling better and no longer needed a ventilator to breathe.
JANUARY 2021
Kate reveals she and her children visited Derek in hospital over Christmas – the first time her family had seen him since his first hospital stay.
However, she added that she was then banned from seeing him due to new Covid restrictions introduced during the government’s third lockdown.
MARCH
Kate revealed in the ITV documentary Finding Derek that she adapted her home to Derek’s needs when he left hospital.
The show has been praised by viewers for its heart-wrenching look at the long-term effects of a Covid infection.
Kate also revealed that Derek has “no muscles” since battling Covid.
Patients rapidly lose muscle mass in the hospital. Research shows that in the first week a patient spends in the intensive care unit, two percent of muscle mass is lost each day.
APRIL
Derek left the hospital but needed 24-hour care upon his return.
CAN
Kate revealed that his communication skills were “minimal” and he “can’t really move.”
AUGUST
On GMB, Kate reveals that Derek has been struggling with Covid symptoms for some time.
She said: “There are more and more problems!”.
Symptoms of prolonged Covid-19 illness include extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, muscle pain, memory problems, chest pain, difficulty sleeping and palpitations.
DECEMBER
Kate appeared on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories and said Derek said “I love you” for the first time.
After celebrating Christmas, Derek was also pictured in a wheelchair during a trip to the pantomime with his family.
READ MORE: Kate Garraway’s GMB co-stars Susanna Reid and Alan Carr pay tribute to heartbroken star as she announces death of husband Derek Draper, 56
Kate Garraway received a number of honors after announcing the death of her husband Derek Draper on Friday (the couple are pictured in 2019).
JANUARY 2022
Kate revealed that Derek was “very tired” and “very weak” after the family trip, adding: “I don’t know what this year will bring.”
FEBRUARY
Kate gave an insight into the daily struggle to care for her husband in the documentary Caring For Derek, which aired on ITV on February 22.
She said that Derek would die within three days if left alone to fend for himself.
The couple underwent an “exhausting” trip to Mexico in early 2022 to undergo an experimental treatment to improve their health, the show revealed.
JULY
On July 6, Kate revealed that Derek had been re-admitted to hospital after a “relapse”.
On July 20, it was reported that Kate walked away from presenting Good Morning Britain to be at Derek’s bedside after he took a “very serious” turn.
It was later confirmed that Derek had suffered “life-threatening sepsis” as a complication of a kidney infection.
JANUARY 2023
Kate confronted former health secretary Matt Hancock about his handling of the pandemic and his decision to continue with I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.
Describing public anger at him, Kate added of his decision: “It gives the impression that you still don’t understand why they’re angry. “You still don’t understand why people are angry. They want to hold you more accountable.”
APRIL
Derek has been readmitted to hospital, Kate revealed in an Instagram post.
She shared the emotional moment when Sir Elton John dedicated a song to the “inspirational” couple, writing: “Yes Derek was back in hospital this week and yes there is still a long way to go, but #eltonjohn & @davidfurnish , you have the kids and …” “Derek, a moment we’ll never forget that gave them courage and made them feel like anything is possible.”
It has been reported that Kate is planning a trip around the world for ground-breaking treatment in the “last hope” to help her husband.
DECEMBER
Derek suffers a massive heart attack, forcing him to fight for his life again.
Kate spent Christmas with him in hospital.
JANUARY 2024
On January 5, Kate confirmed that Derek had died.
In a post on social media, she said her husband died surrounded by his family and that she “held his hand for the last long hours.”
She said his Covid infection caused him permanent heart damage, which led to “further complications”.
Kate also thanked the medical teams for making his final moments as “comfortable and dignified as possible”.
MailOnline understands that Derek died in a north London hospital on Wednesday night (January 3).
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
