Kate Garraway has admitted Derek Draper remains "very damaged" as she gave a rare update on his health. The Good Morning Britain presenter's husband has been suffering long-term effects ever since contracting coronavirus in 2020.
Former political advisor Derek is believed to be the worst-affected living Covid patient in the UK after spending 13 months in hospital between March 2020 and April 2021. The dad-of-two returned home and receives round-the-clock care but has been unable to fully communicate, has issues with mobility, and has struggled with major health problems.
Since Derek became ill, Kate has balanced work and family commitments - looking after their two children Darcey, 16, and Billy, 12. But Kate took some time out to explore her family's past alongside Alison Hammond. Speaking about Derek in a new episode of ITV documentary series, DNA Journey, which aired on Thursday night, the 55-year-old referenced her husband's ill health and gave an update.
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She said: "2020 was a devastating year. With Derek, he got very sick very early on in the pandemic and has remained very damaged. That is quite well documented because for a lot of people, he's come to symbolise the fight that goes on."
Kate, who also presents on Smooth Radio, also praised This Morning star Alison Hammond for being such a support to her. She explained that she and her ITV co-star both had a "difficult time" in 2020, with Alison losing both her parents,
But Alison was always there for Kate who said she "texted me every day" to check that she was alright. Kate said: "Alison, she was messaging me to say she was thinking of me in that way,"
Alison also heaped praise on Kate during an appearance on This Morning on Wednesday ahead of their DNA Journey episode airing. The 47-year-old TV star said it was an 'eye opener' to see how much Kate 'goes through' as they filmed for the show in both the UK and Jamaica.
"I think we both needed a break and going off to Jamaica was just incredible," Alison told Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby. "It was so nice to see Kate in her environment. Even though she was working, she was constantly doing stuff. She's a doer this woman. She was talking to Derek and just juggling. The amount of juggling and things that I saw you doing was just an eye opener for me of how much this woman goes through."
Kate, who has made two documentaries on her husband's battle, was forced to take three weeks off work over the summer, revealing she was spending all her time at the hospital. She told fans how Derek took a "frightening turn for the worse" and said she was once again "fighting for his life".
"Thanks to the amazing NHS teams & his own extraordinary life force & spirit Derek -please god - is back on the right side of it now," Kate then shared in an update at the end of July.
But as for their DNA Journey, Alison delved into her past during a trip to Jamaica with Kate. The mum-of-one was told about her great great great grandfather Jean Marie Escofferey who was deported from Jamaica to the Dominican Republic unlawfully. She then discovered that he had been wrongfully accused of criminal activity regarding the selling of guns before a public inquiry proved him innocent and was returned to his hometown before being given £16,000 in damages
Meanwhile, Kate discovered she had a link to none other than Paddington Bear. She was introduced to Karen Jankel, the daughter of the late creator of the much-loved children's character, Michael Bond. Kate discovered that the pair have the same three times great-grandparent and shared an emotional embrace after meeting close to the London train station that bears the character's name.
Ms Jankel told Kate she wanted to introduce her to her "famous brother" before revealing a stuffed toy of Paddington Bear, complete with a travel tag reading "Darkest Peru." She told her: "Paddington and I grew up together."
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