By John Smith • Updated: 05 Jan 2024 • 13:23
Kate collecting her MBE from the Prince of Wales with Derek looking on Credit: Kate Garraway Instagram
The TV presenter Kate Garraway has announced today, January 5 on Instagram the sad news that her husband, the former political adviser Derek Draper has died.
In her heartfelt post she stated “I’m sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away. As some of you may know he has been critically ill following a cardiac arrest in early December which, because of the damage inflicted by COVID in March 2020, led to further complications.
“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. 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. “Sending so much love and thanks to all of you who have so generously given our family so much support.
“Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life.”
Aged 56 when he passed, Derek Draper is believed to have been one of the UK’s longest suffering COVID patients having contracted the virus in March 2020.
Kate Garraway has been a devoted carer for her late husband and has been a champion of all of those who suffered the long term effects of the virus as well as speaking about the effects on herself and families generally.
Tributes from friends and celebrities have started to flood in.
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Married to Ophelia in Gibraltar in 1978, John has spent much of his life travelling on security print and minting business and visited every continent except Antarctica. Having retired several years ago, the couple moved to their house in Estepona and John became a regular news writer for the EWN Media Group taking particular interest in Finance, Gibraltar and Costa del Sol Social Scene. Currently he is acting as Editorial Consultant for the paper helping to shape its future development. Share your story with us by emailing newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com, by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews
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