Kate Garraway has been candid about the challenges of caring for her husband during long-term illness
(Picture: ITV)Kate Garraway has revealed husband Derek Draper is back in hospital as he continues to battle complications after contracting sepsis in August.
Draper, who is one of the UK’s longest-suffering patients of Covid after being admitted to hospital with the virus in March 2020, was taken in again during the summer when his kidney infection developed into the life-threatening infection.
Giving an update on his health battle, the Good Morning Britain presenter revealed the former political lobbyist has suffered yet another a setback and she’s desperately trying to get him home from hospital.
She shared with the Sun: “Derek is back in hospital after developing sepsis that again threatened his life and we are again fighting to get him home, but I remain constantly inspired by those around him – not just for their expertise but for their loving care.”
Reflecting on her new role as a carer for Draper, Garraway, whose documentary Caring for Derek is nominated for a National Television Award, said it’s important to celebrate those that go above and beyond for others.
She continued: “We all clapped for carers with vigour during the pandemic because they were saving lives right before our very eyes, but the trouble is, when the direct fear of life or death passes, this celebration gets quickly forgotten, but the caring goes on.
"It’s not sexy or the stuff of movies, like pulling someone from a burning building or giving mouth to mouth, but it’s no less vital to life."
The couple have been married since 2005, and have two children, Darcy and William.
Garraway’s former Labour spin doctor husband first became ill in March 2020 and spent 13 months in hospital before finally being allowed to return home.
However, the 55-year-old has suffered several health setbacks and the presenter has taken time off work to be by his side.
Taking to Instagram to commemorate World Mental Health Day recently, the broadcaster spoke candidly about her situation and revealed how she’s been "frustrated, emotional and depressed" caring for Derek, but desperately "wants him to survive".
The TV presenter previously gave viewers an insight into her life in her ITV documentary, Caring for Derek, which documented how much her family’s life had changed since his diagnosis.
Speaking to the camera, she said: “In the documentary, you saw me frustrated, depressed, emotional. And I’ve been all of those and more in recent weeks and months and more.
“Because that’s the thing with caring, you want it to carry on because you want the person to be surviving and still with you, so that you CAN care for them, but there isn’t an end point and it doesn’t get any easier."
