Kate Garraway has given an important update on her husband Derek Draper’s health.
During his appearance on Thursday’s Loose Women, the GMB presenter, 56, was asked by presenter Linda Robson if Derek, 55, could speak, prompting the update.
The author and former lobbyist has been close to death several times since contracting Covid at the start of the pandemic in March 2020 and is now confined to a wheelchair and learning to speak again – but needs 24-hour care at home.
She revealed, “It’s more of a whisper.” I don’t think we’re necessarily going to have a chat, but fantastic moments do emerge. Billy had a new basketball and bounced it, and he asked, “Is that a new ball?” He said, “It’s nice”…
“To see that he was able to do that was amazing.” Billy was in tears; they hugged each other. It’s things like that that really cheer you up, and the next day he was really quiet.’
An honor: Kate Garraway has given a big update on her husband Derek Draper’s health
Details: During his appearance on Thursday’s Loose Women, the GMB presenter, 56, was asked by presenter Linda Robson if Derek, 55, could speak, prompting the update
Kate also spoke about her return to the show after her documentary aired in 2021, saying: “It’s really weird.” The last time I was here, just back from the jungle, we were planning to renew our vows.. .
“Within a few weeks we found ourselves in this unfolding drama. It feels like an eternity ago, but it could have been just yesterday. On some levels, everyone’s lives have changed dramatically, but to me, I still live the scenes that you see in the documentary.”
Back in April, Derek’s smiling return from hospital gave his family and friends new hope – three years after his body was first afflicted by Covid-19 and sepsis.
In detail: She shed light on the situation in front of her colleagues
On the face of it: Derek is cared for 24/7 at home, funded by Kate
Derek was hospitalized on March 30 and remained unresponsive until later slipping into a coma. Days later, Kate and her children were isolated at home after she showed “mild symptoms”.
She said at the time, “Derek remains in intensive care and is still very ill.” I fear it remains an extremely worrying time. I’m afraid his condition is still extremely critical, but he’s still here, which means there’s hope.”
In the following month his health continued to deteriorate.
Kate said at the time: “The journey seems far from over for me and my family as each day my heart sinks as I learn how this virus has Derek having more battles to fight.” But he’s still HERE and so there is still hope.’
This month, Kate and her family attended the final Applause for Caregivers. She said, “I’ll never give that up because Derek is the love of my life, but at the same time I have absolute insecurity.”
On June 5, 2020, Kate announced that Derek is now free of the coronavirus but continues to battle the damage that has been done to his body. A month later, she announced that Derek had awakened from his coma, but he remains in serious but critical condition.
Three days later, she announced she was returning to GMB after being advised by doctors to “get on with life” during Derek’s recovery.
Shock: On June 5, 2020, Kate announced that Derek is now free of coronavirus but is continuing to battle the damage that has been done to his body
She added that Derek “opened his eyes” after coming out of his coma but was told his recovery could take years.
Tragically, due to the pandemic, Kate revealed that she had paid Derek a “particularly emotional” visit for the first time and admitted she was “frustrated” by his slow progress. At that point, he had been in the hospital for three months.
And when GMB viewers asked for updates on his condition, she reassured them that Derek was “still with us” but it was “a waiting game”.
Kate and Derek photographed each other together in 2019 before he fell ill