Kate Garraway, who was the face of ITV News Central, announced to her fans on January 5, 2024, that her husband, Derek Draper, had passed away following a protracted fight with a condition related to COVID-19 and a cardiac attack in December.
The English journalist spoke of her twenty-year-long relationship, grieving for her late husband. Garraway reminisced how lucky she had been and always held his hand till the very end.
The couple had a huge fan following and watched them for years. Appreciating how they never claimed to be flawless, people became engrossed in their love story. Garraway and Draper became a thing in 2005, and are parents of two kids together.
Last year, the couple celebrated their 18th anniversary together, for which Garraway wrote on an Instagram post that she was “so glad” that he lived to witness it. During the 1990s, Draper was a well-known member of New Labour who worked for Blairite Peter Mandelson and co-founded the Progress organization with Liam Byrne, who later became an MP.
Kate Garraway and Derek Draper: How did they meet?
The couple first met through a common friend during the fall of 2004, two years after Kate’s divorce from Ian Rumsey. In no time, they became popular couple faces in the media, who kept sharing about the time they spent together, the laughs, and the arguments they had. Hilariously, one of the common topics was—leaving the toilet seat up.
Derek and Kate met through a mutual friend, Gloria De Piero, who worked as GMTV’s political editor at the time. Derek was invited to a drink at Claridge’s by friends, and Derek fell in love right away and eventually asked her out on a date. However, their first date was not so glamorous, but it was something they both cherished throughout.
The former political advisor had asked her to an amateur watercolor display at his Anglican church before taking her out for pizza. The first date ended without any kissing, as Derek told The Scotsman in front of Kate that after the date, they both came back to their apartment, had a cup of tea, and before she left, they just hugged each other. Well, all classic romantic dates end like that, no doubt.
What Happened To Kate’s Husband?
After suffering from severe health issues brought on by a coronavirus for several years, TV personality Kate Garraway’s spouse and former political advisor, Derek Draper, passed away.
The 56-year-old, who was hospitalized for 13 months after catching the virus in March 2020, was reportedly among the COVID-19 patients in the UK with the longest illness duration. The virus led to the failure of his many organs, and he even suffered from a cardiac arrest last month.
Garraway, who kept updating them about her husband’s health to her fans, broke the news of his passing away on Instagram. On 5th January, the presenter who will be taking a leave of absence from her work as a journalist wrote that her “darling husband” had passed away.
She also added that during his last hours, they were together and that she had been “by his side holding his hand throughout his last long hours.”
Through her Instagram post, she also paid tribute to him and cherished that whatever they had together was special. In the long caption that she wrote, Kate also mentioned that the COVID-19 virus caused the damages, which further complicated his health conditions. Last month, in December, Derek even experienced a heart attack.
Kate Garraway Received Heartfelt Condolences: How Her Fans React To The News?
Garraway also said that loss is huge for her, and she has a lot to say, but it will take her quite some time to overcome it. She also showed her gratitude towards the medical teams who gave their best to save her husband and to make his final moments as comfortable and dignified as possible.
Kate Garraway’s fans also poured heartfelt condolences to her in the comment section of her Instagram post. Not only fans but also Garraway’s co-stars on Good Morning Britain and other celebrities also expressed their condolences.
Susanna Reid remarked, “Our whole hearts are with you all,” and Charlotte Hawkins added, “So desperately sorry Kate, it’s heartbreaking. Love and light to all of you.” Draper collaborated with former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair during the 1990s, and Blair also expressed his sadness upon learning of Draper’s passing.
