GMB Host Kate Garraway’s Husband Derek Draper Dead at 56 After Long COVID Battle

ITV’s Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway announced the death of her husband, Derek Draper, at the age of 56 on Friday.

Draper, an author and former political lobbyist, had been grappling with severe complications from COVID-19 since March 2020. Garraway shared the news on Instagram: “I’m sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away.”

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Draper’s health had been precarious following a cardiac arrest in early December, which Garraway attributed to “the damage inflicted by Covid in March 2020, leading to further complications.”

“Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days,” she wrote. “And I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed.”

“Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love,” she concluded her statement. “I was so lucky to have you in my life.”

The couple, who married in 2005 and have two children, faced an uphill battle since Draper’s diagnosis. Despite emerging COVID-free by early June 2020, Draper suffered significant bodily harm. He had been in a coma from April until October 2020, and even after more than a year in the hospital, he had not regained his speech. In April 2021, Draper briefly returned home under care, but his condition deteriorated, leading to multiple hospital readmissions. Draper’s journey was high-profile, subject to a 2022 documentary Finding Derek.

Garraway expressed gratitude towards the medical teams and supporters: “I have so much more to say, and of course I will do so in due course, but for now I just want to thank all the medical teams who fought so hard to save him and to make his final moments as comfortable and dignified as possible.”

Tributes have begun to pour in from New Labour-era associates of Draper, with former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair commemorating Draper as a “good colleague and great friend.”

Former Labour strategist Alastair Campbell and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown also shared their condolences:

Messages of support also rolled in from Garraway’s fans and colleagues:

Garraway is taking an indefinite leave of absence from her TV and radio work.