Derek Draper: Tributes pour in as ‘brave’ and ‘strong’ Kate Garraway announces husband’s death
‘GMB’ host has been caring for Draper ever since he contracted Covid in March 2020
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Tributes are pouring in for Derek Draper, the husband of Kate Garraway, who has died, aged 56.
TV presenter Garraway has been caring for the former Labour Party adviser ever since he contracted Covid in the early stages of the pandemic.
In December, Draper suffered a heart attack that left him “fighting for his life” due to “the damage inflicted” by Covid”, which Garraway said caused “further complications”.
Garraway announced her husband’s death on Friday (5 January), writing: “I’m sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away. 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.”
Gordon Brown remembered ‘brilliant' Derek Draper
Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has paid tribute to Derek, who was once an adviser for the Labour Party.
“So sad that after such a brave struggle Derek Draper has lost his life as a result of Covid,” he wrote. “I will remember him as brilliant, creative and multitalented, and our thoughts are with Kate, Darcey and Billy. RIP Derek.”
Psychotherapist Derek Draper made a ‘tremendous impression’ on patient’s life
“My friend Mitch says that most obituaries aren’t so much as ‘the person that I knew’ as “the person that knew me”. This is especially true about writing about my experiences with Derek Draper, as although he was a man who made a tremendous impression on my life, and we spent a lot of pretty intense time together, I didn’t know him personally at all – he was my psychotherapist.”
Derek Draper was my therapist – he saved my life
I knew he’d been a spin doctor and had to push thoughts of him hanging out with Peter Mandelson out of my mind, writes Clair Woodward. People have said I must have been mad, but I can only say that seeing Derek Draper was one of the best things I ever did for myself
‘Line of Duty’ star Vicky McClure and Alexandra Burke support Garraway
“So so sorry to hear this Kate,” Line of Duty actor Vicky McClure wrote in response to Garraway’s Instagram post, adding: “Sending all my love to you and your family.”
Meanwhile, former X Factor winner Alexandra Burke said: “Kate, I’m so sorry. Sending you all so much love. Keeping you all in my thought’s & prayers.”
‘Loose Women’ starts with tribute to Derek Draper
Loose Women, which was broadcast one hour after Kate Garraway’s announcement, paid tribute to Derek at the start of the episode.
“We’re gonna start with the saddest of news,” Kaye Adams said, with the panel, including Linda Robson and Sue Cleaver, saying they are “so full of admiration” for Garraway and her family’s bravery.
Adams continued; “We can’t really say anymore, it’s so raw. Kate’s most recent book was called The Strength of Love, and, my goodness, Kate, you displayed the strength of love in a way I can’t contemplate.”
Jason Manford and Ashley Roberts send love to Garraway
Comedian Jason Manford replied to Kate Garraway’s post announcing Derek’s death: “Kate, I am so so sorry. Sending love to you and your family,” while former Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts added: “Sending so much love.”
Lorraine Kelly hails ‘strong and brave’ Kate Garraway
TV host Lorraine Kelly has shared a message of support to Kate Garraway, calling her ITV colleague “strong and brave”.
She wrote: “THIS is just so sad. Our friend @kategarraway has been so strong and brave. Thoughts with her and her children and family. She was right by his side until the end and did him proud. An astonishing woman.”
Carol Vorderman ‘sends love’ to Kate Garraway
Carol Vorderman has shared a tribute to Derek Draper, and sent love to Kate Garraway in the wake of her husband’s death following his lengthy battle with Covid.
She wrote on X/Twitter: “Heartbreaking, after the last years, they have lost the man they love so much.”
Kate Garraway has been caring for Draper full-time in the last three years since he suffered complications after contracting Covid in March 2020 – the early stages of the pandemic.
He had a heart attack in December, which left him “fighting for his life” due to the “damage inflicted” by the illness.
Garraway announced Draper’s death on Instagram on Friday (5 January), writing: “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.”
Tributes are rolling in from the world of broadcast
Tributes are pouring in for the former Labour Party adviser after Garraway announced Draper’s death on Instagram.
Broadcaster Alastair Campbell wrote: “Very sad to hear the news about Derek Draper. He was a huge character, a giver not a taker, and had so much more to give before Covid took its toll. Sad above all for @kategarraway and the children. Their love and support was profound and unshakeable to the end. RIP.”
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