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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Susan Knox

Kate Garraway says Derek is 'very damaged' and still cannot move in heartbreaking admission

Kate Garraway has shared an update on her beloved husband Derek Draper, admitting that he is 'very damaged' after falling into a coma for months on end after contracting Covid back in 2020.

Derek, who is a former political advisor, spent 13 months in hospital before returning to the family home with Kate and their two children - Darcey, 16 and Billy, 13 and needs round the clock care.

Good Morning Britain star Kate, 55, has been with her husband of 13 years every step of the way as he has fought to survive — becoming the longest-suffering coronavirus patient in the UK.

Three years after her husband first faced life-changing challenges amid his Covid battle, Kate has revealed that her husband is 'very damaged' but is still making progress every day.

Kate has revealed that her husband is still 'very damaged' (itv)

Speaking to Giovanna Fletcher on her podcast, Journey To Magic, the broadcaster shared some insight into her family life with Derek, and their children Darcey and Billy.

Of her family, Kate revealed: "They’re OK, they're good. It is challenging, he's still very, very damaged. He still can't really move, still can't really speak, still fed through tubes, and so there's a long road ahead.

“But if you compare to last Christmas or the Christmas before, when he was still in hospital then you can see improvement.

Derek became seriously ill after contracting Covid-19 at the start of the pandemic (ITV)

"It's just, you just want it to be quicker and faster, of course, like everybody would. But it's a challenging one - he spent most of last year in the hospital as well for various different things, so it was lovely to have him home."

Kate recently revealed that her most of the time, Derek 'can't do anything' as she shared a heartbreaking update on her his struggles.

"There are some days where he literally cannot do anything and it’s like the computer is switched off. He cannot move, and he’s in so much pain as we are manipulating him, trying to get him more mobile so that he doesn’t regress," she shared.

Derek is back home but is still the worst affecting person living with Covid in the UK (ITV)

The presenter has well-documented her journey with Derek - in a award winning documentary and her own book —-sharing how the family have adapted their lives since Derek contracted Covid in March 2020.

However, Kate, who has been widely praised for her resilience, told The Sun: "It also makes me fall in love with him all over again because of that spirit, that determination to keep going. Derek is trapped, but he fights on. We cling on to the good days."

Bafta-nominated Kate has spent tens of thousands of pounds adapting the family’s London home to cater for Derek's needs.

Kate Gallaway with husband Derek Draper in 2019 (Daily Star, Daily Mirror, Daily Express)
Kate has continued to care for her beloved husband amid his battle (WireImage)

The Good Morning Britain star has been there for Derek every step of the way, and has been a huge inspiration and source of support for other families who find themselves caring for loved ones who have been affected by Covid.

Get set for your weekly dose of Disney travel magic as Walt Disney Travel Company’s star-studded podcast, Journey to the Magic hosted by Giovanna Fletcher on Wednesday, 15 March 2023.

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