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
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
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.”
Derek Draper, Kate Garraway’s husband, has died
Derek Draper, the husband of TV presenter Kate Garraway, has sadly died, aged 56.
The Good Morning Britain host has been caring for Draper ever since he contracted Covid in March 2020 . His death follows a heart attack in December 2023.
Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper dies after long Covid battle, aged 56
Former Labour party adviser was ‘fighting for his life’ in hospital after a cardiac arrest
Derek Draper: A vigorous person who should be remembered for so much more than his suffering
In a tribute to Derek Draper, The Independent’s associate editor Sean O’Grady recalled first meeting him in the late Nineties during Draper’s time as a Labour staffer.
He wrote: “[Draper] was a young man working with Peter Mandelson in the New Labour project, during and after the 1997 election landslide – lively company, dedicated, thoughtful, and obviously gifted with a high level of what you might call ‘political intelligence’.”
You can read the tribute in full here:
Derek Draper: A vigorous person who should be remembered for more than his suffering
The abiding image most of the public have of Draper – the beloved husband of Kate Garraway – is of someone struggling incredibly hard against his frailty. Here, Sean O’Grady reflects on the career of a man who had a front-row seat for the New Labour project
WATCH: The moment Derek Draper’s death was announced on This Morning
Recap: Piers Morgan sent ‘deepest love and condolences’ to family
Former Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan also sent his “deepest love and condolences” to the family, sharing a photograph of the smiling couple on Instagram.
“A brilliantly clever and funny man who fought his covid health hell with such courage & resilience, helped every step of the way by his magnificent wife Kate whose loyal, loving, selfless devotion was truly astounding,” he said.
“This photo was taken when they attended my annual Christmas pub party in December 2019, just after Kate got back from doing I’m A Celebrity during which the country got to see at first hand what a brilliant marriage they had.
“They talked excitedly that night about renewing their wedding vows the following summer. But just three months later, Derek got the virus, was rushed to hospital, and their near four-year nightmare began.”
Recap: ITV boss sends ‘heartfelt condolences’ to Garraway on behalf of staff
ITV boss Kevin Lygo also sent “heartfelt condolences” to Garraway on behalf of staff at the broadcaster who have worked with her over the years.
In a statement, the ITV managing director of media and entertainment said: “Everyone that has worked with Kate at ITV over the past few years are desperately saddened to hear this terrible news.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Kate and Derek’s family and we will continue to offer our support in any way we can at this very difficult time.”
Recap: ITV’s Loose Women praise Garraway and Draper
ITV’s Loose Women opened its programme on Friday with praise for how Garraway and Draper dealt with the challenges they faced over the last few years.
Panellist Kaye Adams said: “We have all obviously been moved by Kate and the family’s journey over the last three or four years and so full of admiration for the way that they have dealt with the incredible challenges that they faced and, as I say, the saddest of news.”
‘Our whole hearts are with you all’: Susanna Reid tells Garraway
Susanna Reid is among those who have sent messages of support to fellow Good Morning Britain host Kate Garraway after she announced her husband Derek Draper has died aged 56.
Reid shared a black and white picture of the couple, writing: “Our whole hearts are with you all @kategarraway & Derek’s family.”
In pictures: Kate Garraway with her husband Derek Draper
Lorraine Kelly describes Garraway as ‘an astonishing woman'
Fellow ITV presenter Lorraine Kelly described Garraway as “an astonishing woman” as she sent her sympathies.
She reshared Garraway’s post to Instagram and added: “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.”
Ben Shephard among those who have sent support to Kate Garraway
Ben Shephard is among those who have sent messages of support to his fellow Good Morning Britain host Kate Garraway after she announced her husband Derek Draper has died aged 56.
“On what has been the saddest of days @kategarraway I’ve been reminding myself of the wonderful times and memories we have all shared together,” Shephard said on Instagram, sharing a picture of Draper kissing Garraway on the cheek.
“This is how I’ll always think of Derek – bringing you so much joy, your smile says it all, the size of which is matched only by his love for you, Darcey and Bill. Sending all our love Kate to you and all the family.
“Also thank you to everyone who has reached out to me, I promise I will pass on your messages, I know they will bring Kate so much comfort as they have for the last few years.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments