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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

'Tired' Kate Garraway says husband has been in hospital for months as she shares emotional family night

Kate Garraway has shared that her husband has spent two months in hospital after confirming that he was back in after his more than year-long stay from 2020 to 2021. The Good Morning Britain host has been open about Derek Draper's recovery after their lives were changed by Covid.

She gave an update on Derek, a former Labour lobbyist turned psychotherapist, earlier this week during an appearance at the Tric Awards with her GMB co-stars and many other ITV colleagues. Her appearance on the blue carpet came after she made a desperate plea to her Twitter followers last weekend.

She revealed that she had lost her husband Derek Draper's vital medical supplies. She had brought Derek, 54, home from hospital for a short stay in a black cab. But after they arrived home she discovered she had left his essential medication in the taxi. After putting a call out on social media, Kate confirmed the following day that they had, luckily, been returned.

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Derek contracted Covid in March 2020. He was admitted to hospital and later put into an induced coma after the virus 'wreaked havoc' on his body. The dad-of-two suffered a series of health complications, staying in hospital for more than a year where he became the UK's longest-suffering patient of the virus.

In April 2021, Derek was able to return to the family's North London home where he received around-the-clock care. Speaking to The Sun at the Tric awards, Kate said of her husband: "He's OK, he's back in hospital actually, so that's a development. There we are."

The publication has since reported Kate, 55, as saying on Wednesday (July 6): "He’s been in hospital a couple of months now. He’s been coming in and out. Hopefully he’ll come out again. Hopefully tonight. I’m crossing my fingers.

Kate at the Tric Awards earlier this week (Getty Images)

She then added: "I’m really tired but I take it day by day to level out the ups and downs." Kate, 55, also shared that the family experienced an 'emotional' night after Derek missed seeing daughter Darcey, 16, attend her prom.

Kate, who also shares 12-year-old son Billy with Derek, added: "I try to embrace life, especially the kids as we’ve had two and a half years of it (Derek’s battle). Their lives have changed and they need to do things.

"I’ve shown Derek pictures of Darcey in her prom dress, and now he can press one button and FaceTime her. It was emotional and strange seeing her all grown up on the night."

Derek with his children and sister in Kate's ITV documentary, Caring For Derek (ITV)

Back in June the Smooth Radio presenter spoke about finding a place of solace amid Derek's ongoing health issues. Sharing a montage video of the blossoming flowers in her garden on her Instagram page, Kate wrote: "So Derek has been in and out of hospital a lot recently -hopefully the wonderful health teams will help him improve but I woke up early feeling exhausted & very fretful.

"As you know my garden is my #happyplace so came out for some #calm and to get stuck in to some weeding & planting. It’s been ages since have been able to & I really missed it but nature hasn’t me . The flowers are blooming, fruits growing, leaves dancing in the breeze. Am sure there’s a message in there somewhere for how life finds a way , and I certainly feel better for being in amongst it."

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