KATE Garraway has cancelled all TV and radio work as she supports her husband Derek amid his ongoing health battle.
Sadly, in 2020, Derek Draper caught Covid and ended up in a life-threatening situation – something which he continues to battle every day.
Who is Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper?
Derek Draper was born on August 15, 1967, in Chorley, Lancashire.
He was educated at Runshaw College in Leyland before going to the University of Manchester.
Derek was a political aide to former Labour cabinet minister Peter Mandelson and was at the centre of the scandal known as “Lobbygate” in 1998.
Following this, he retrained as a psychotherapist and spent three years in California obtaining his degree.
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In the late 90s, he worked as the Political Editor of the Modern Review, was briefly a columnist for the Daily Express and presented on Talk Radio.
In 2009, he became the founder and editor of the blog LabourList.
But stepped down as editor after another scandal involving leaked emails.
The messages sent to him by Gordon Brown’s special adviser, Damian McBride, proposed using the blog to smear senior Conservative MPs and their spouses.
After 35 years, Derek decided to revoke his membership with the Labour Party on August 23, 2019.
Derek is also a published author and has written books such as Blair’s 100 Days and Life Support.
When did Kate Garraway marry Derek Draper?
Kate Garraway married Derek in 2005, in Camden, London.
The pair met just a year before, after being introduced by GMTV’s then-political editor, Gloria De Piero.
Kate and Derek were due to have a second wedding after 15 years of marriage, but sadly his battle with coronavirus called those plans to a halt.
Kate told Fabulous: “We’d planned the wedding for the end of summer, but I don’t suppose we’ll be booking anything now because we don’t really know what we can do.”
Kate was previously married to former Meridian boss Ian Rumsey from 1998 to 2002.
How many children do Kate Garraway and Derek Draper have?
Derek and Kate have two children.
The couple’s eldest is a daughter called Darcey, who was born on March 10, 2006.
They also have a son called William, affectionately known as Billy, who was born on July 28, 2009.
Their kids were 14 years old and 10 years old when their father was first hospitalised after he first caught the virus.
In September 2023, Kate revealed fears for her children amid her husband’s health battle.
Reflecting on her journey, Kate told The Times: “They are completely different people. I’m effectively on my own and I don’t know where I am with them really.”
“Derek was always the line in the sand. I could say no a million times and they would always push their luck, but all Derek ever had to say was, ‘Enough!’.
“He had such forcefulness about him. He’d call family meetings and be all very psychotherapist-y.”
Kate also admitted: “My instinct is always keep everything good, keep everything nice, but he was always fine with stand-up rows.
“He said it was all about boundary-setting, so I always felt he was going to be amazing in their teens.
“So I feel, like, ‘Derek, of all the times, I am not equipped for this without you.’ And it makes me miss the old Derek so much.”
What illness does Derek Draper have?
In 2020, Kate Garraway’s husband Derek was rushed to hospital due to a Covid infection, which has since sparked years of heartbreaking health battles.
After being taken to hospital, dad-of-two Derek spent 214 days on a ventilator, nearly four months in an induced coma and lost eight stone, as well as his ability to speak properly.
After he moved back home in April 2021, Derek required round the clock care and was rushed back to hospital with “life-threatening” sepsis in August the following year.
Following this, Derek was struck down with more ill-health.
In December 2023, it was reported that Kate was by her husband’s side once more after Derek suffered a huge heart attack just days before Christmas.
Wife Kate has since cancelled all TV and radio presenting while she supports her husband who is “fighting for his life” once again.
A source said: “Everyone is praying for a miracle.
“Derek suffered a massive heart attack earlier this week which has left him fighting for his life all over again.
“It was sudden and a shock as he had been doing so well and was in great spirits, looking forward to Christmas at home with the family.
“This setback has been a huge blow for his family and all the people caring for him.
“Kate is by his side 24 hours a day and is willing him on to win this latest battle for his life.
“Derek has fought so many times, and always, against all odds, come out the other side.
“Kate has been utterly incredible — by his side while being an amazing mum to Darcey and Billy, and trying to manage their expectations of a family Christmas.”
