Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper, former lobbyist turned psychologist and author, died on January 5, aged 56, almost four years after being admitting into hospital with Covid Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway has arrived for the funeral of her husband Derek Draper at the church in north London where they married nearly two decades ago.
Kate, 56, who tied the knot with Derek Draper in September 2005, wore a long black cloak as she arrived at the Church of St Mary The Virgin in Primrose Hill on Friday. The Good Morning Britain presenter was joined by her two children, which she shares with Derek, Darcey, 17, and Billy, 14.
In moving scenes, Derek’s daughter Darcey was one of pallbearers and helped to carry her father’s coffin into the church her parents got married in.
The presenter was supported by her ITV co-stars with Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard among the mourners who have begun arriving for the funeral of former political lobbyist-turned-psychologist Derek, following his death last month. Global superstar Elton John, who became a “huge friend” to Kate and Derek, was also in attendance.
Derek Draper is carried into St Mary the Virgin church in Primrose Hill by his daughter(Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)
Derek died earlier this year
Derek died earlier this year(PA)
Derek fell seriously ill during the early part of the pandemic in March 2020 and spent 13 months in hospital before he was discharged. He died on January 3 aged 56 after suffering long-lasting symptoms from coronavirus.
Kate often provided health updates about her husband on GMB and fronted two documentaries on the channel about how the family’s life changed following his illness. Derek, a prominent figure in New Labour in the 1990 who was also an author, was admitted to hospital in December when he had a heart attack.
Kate announced her husband’s death on Instagram, with a post saying: “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.”
Darcey carries her father’s coffin after
After Derek’s death, Susanna read out a heartbreaking letter, in which Kate thanked people for their messages of support. She said: “I am certain that it is the support that you have given me and sent to Derek that has sustained us through these tough nearly four years, motivating us to fight on for each other and for those who can’t fight for themselves. It will sustain us to continue that fight in the weeks, months and years to come.
“I look forward to waking up with you very soon again on Good Morning Britain to celebrate life in all its wonder and challenge again. I hope you forgive me taking some time to be at home. Family is so important and I’m grateful we could be with Derek in his final moments, something not all get to share…
“We are taking time to heal ourselves now that Darcy and Billy know their daddy is at peace and free from pain and struggle. I shall be thinking of you all until we’re reunited. In the meantime, hug your loved ones. All my love, Kate.”
