Derek Draper, a former political adviser and husband of TV presenter Kate Garraway, has died aged 56.
The news was announced by the Good Morning Britain presenter on Instagram where she told fans: “I’m sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away.
Who was Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper?
Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper was a lobbyist and author who was born on August 15, 1967.
He attended Southland’s High School before going to Runshaw College and the University of Manchester.
He later became involved with the Labour Party before becoming entangled in two political scandals – “Lobbygate” in 1998 and again in 2009.
He also authored two books – Blair’s 100 Days and Life Support.
What was Derek Draper’s cause of death?
In March 2020, Derek was rushed to hospital due to a Covid infection, which sparked years of heartbreaking health battles.
After being taken to hospital, 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, Kate was by her husband’s side once more after he suffered a huge heart attack.
Sadly, in January 2024, he passed away following his ongoing health battle.
Kate revealed she held her husband’s hand as he passed away in a moving Instagram post.
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.
“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.”
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?
Kate Garraway and Derek Draper had two children together with their eldest Darcey, aged 17, and their youngest, Billy, aged 11, both featured in their documentary Finding Derek.
Darcey Mary Draper was born on March 10, 2006, while William, often known as ‘Billy’, was born on July 28, 2009.
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