Sky News’ Iain King Breaks Emotional News Of Friend Derek Draper’s Death Live

Sky News presenter Iain King was overcome with emotion Friday after breaking news of the tragic passing of Derek Draper, aged 56.

Draper, the husband of ITV Good Morning Britain host Kate Garraway, succumbed after a long battle with COVID-19 complications.

“We have some breaking news to bring you and I’m afraid it’s terribly sad news. Derek Draper, the husband of TV presenter Kate Garraway, and of course, a well-known figure in British politics for the last 25 years, has died,” he said.

King relayed his personal condolences to Garraway revealing that he had been a friend of Draper’s for over three decades since their university days, struggling to maintain composure as he shared the news.

Garraway confirmed the news on Instagram: “I’m sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away.”

She detailed Derek’s critical condition following a cardiac arrest in early December, exacerbated by COVID-19 complications since March 2020. “Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed,” she shared.

Draper, a former New Labour political advisor, and lobbyist, was Britain’s longest-suffering COVID-19 victim. Hospitalised in March 2020, he spent 13 months in intensive care, followed by a challenging recovery at home, requiring continuous care.

Messages of support have poured in from across the television world. This Morning hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary, along with their colleague Lisa Snowdon, expressed their condolences. Broadcasters Carol Vorderman and Zoe Ball, comedian Alan Carr as well as Garraway’s ITV co-presenters Lorraine Kelly and Susanna Reid also shared their heartfelt sympathies.

Likewise, tributes have rolled in from those that knew Draper, including former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair and former Labour strategist Alastair Campbell.