Kate Garraway has "been through hell and back" while caring for her late husband Derek Draper.
Kate Garraway has 'been through hell and back' with late husband's health battles
Derek passed away this week at the age of 56 after over three years of ill-health since contracting COVID-19 in the early days of the pandemic in 2020 and TV star Kate has been praised for juggling caring for Derek with maintaining her presenting career.
An insider told The Sun newspaper: "Kate has been through hell and back — and, by virtue of her career, it’s all been played out in the public domain.
"The strength of character and courage she’s shown, quite simply, is indescribable.
"Poor Derek and Kate became the unwitting poster couple of COVID— something absolutely no one could ever have foretold four years ago.
"Their battle inspired millions of Brits who were hit by this killer virus, and provided comfort in times of darkness. To say Kate has been a trouper is an understatement.
"She would come into work, every single day, after three hours of broken sleep, plaster on a smile, and sit in make-up having her heartbroken, tear-stained face covered with studio make-up. It was truly remarkable.
"Not once has she said ‘woe is me’ — she was so, so brave for the sake of Derek and her children.
"The only comfort for the family now is that brave, fearless Derek is no longer in pain. That is bringing enormous solace — as is the kindness of strangers and public outpouring she’s received.”
Kate announced Derek's death with a moving post on her Instagram page.
She 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."
Kate praised the medical teams who "fought so hard to save" her husband - who she has daughter Darcy, 17, and son Billy, 14, with - and made his final moments "as comfortable and dignified as possible".
She added: "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. (sic)"
Derek spent 13 months in hospital making him Britain’s longest suffering coronavirus victim, and his health battle had left him with long-lasting organ damage and requiring 24/7 care at home.
Kate, 56, made two award-winning documentaries on her family’s experience living with the changes in Derek’s health.
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