Very sad news.
Kate Garraway has announced the death of her husband Derek Draper at the age of 56.
In a statement on Instagram, the TV presenter said her “darling husband” had died and she had been “holding his hand throughout his last long hours”.
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Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper dies aged 56
The former political adviser had spent 13 months in hospital after contracting Covid-19 in March 2020 and was said to be one of the UK’s longest-suffering Covid patients.
The virus had left him with extensive damage to his organs and needed daily care, Sky News reports.
Last month, Draper reportedly suffered a heart attack which had left him in a “very serious condition.
In the statement about her husband’s passing, Garraway 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.
“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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