Kate Garraway has admitted she's trying to remain positive in the wake of husband Derek Draper 's most recent hospitalisation.
The Good Morning Britain presenter, 55, says Derek, 54, having to return to hospital is "a bit of a downturn" but she is keeping her "fingers crossed" as her husband continues his battle to recover from coronavirus.
The former lobbyist contracted Covid in early 2020, and was left critically ill and hospitalised for more than a year.
He returned home in April 2021 but still requires care and assistance, as he struggles to return to full health, and in recent weeks has had to return to hospital.
"He's back in hospital I'm afraid so a bit of a downturn but fingers crossed," Kate told the MailOnline on Wednesday.
"In terms of COVID, I mean when Derek got COVID there was no vaccine there was no treatment there was a lot of challenges, now we have those things so on that level yes it's not gone away."
Earlier this year Kate revealed some of the challenges she and Derek face throughout his ongoing recovery and battle to return to full health.
Speaking with The Bill star Chris Ellison on Good Morning Britain in April, the mum-of-two explained how her husband is struggling to communicate at times.
The actor, who played DCI Frank Burnside on the axed ITV police series, is suffering from aphasia - the same speech-debilitating condition Bruce Willis was recently revealed to be living with.
Aphasia is a neurological disorder caused by damage to the portions of the brain that are responsible for language production or processing.
Chris was diagnosed with the condition after suffering from a severe stroke almost two years ago.
"In a sense Derek – because of Covid – has a version of this where he can understand, sometimes do odd words, but can't express himself," Kate said on the ITV show when speaking with Chris and his wife about the condition.
"It's very interesting what you say Anita about the loneliness of that because you've lost that relationship and that ability for others to see your partner."
Last week Kate thanked fans for getting out the message that she had left her husband Derek's vital medical kit in a taxi - before the supplies were finally recovered by a 'lovely driver.'
The Smooth FM presenter revealed she'd brought Derek home from hospital for the weekend in a mobility taxi but had accidentally left his supplies in the cab when they left.
After a plea to fans online, the vital supplies were returned to a grateful Kate.
"It’s been returned! Thanks to all who reached out - the message got to driver lovely Robert who has returned it - phew and thanks to all. #happysundayeveryone," she posted over the weekend following the request for help.
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct at 0207 29 33033
