Kate Garraway has paid a touching tribute to her late husband Derek Draper on Father’s Day and said he was “robbed of more time” to see his two children grow up.
Good Morning Britain presenter Kate shared a photo with her own dad Gordon as she wrote: “My wonderful Dad #fathersday has been a bitter sweet one for us over the last few years. So grateful I still have my Dad ( and Darcey & Bill have Papa) and get to have a walk in the sunshine with him still today.”
The 59-year-old broadcaster then went on to say of Derek, who she shares daughter Darcey, 20, and 16-year-old son Billy with: “But also thinking of the Dad that isn’t here who we miss so much – maybe you are feeling something similar too. Being a Dad was Derek’s favourite thing and I will always be sad he was robbed of more time to see D & B grow up and flourish but we treasure the time we had and keep the memories alive.
“Happy Father’s Day to all the Dad’s and Dad figures – you are incredible and we are lucky to have you for however long fate allows. Sending love to all those missing theirs and hope the love that was there is still filling your heart xxxx.”
3View 3 ImagesKate with dad Gordon, who she paid tribute to on Father’s Day(Image: Instagram )
3View 3 ImagesKate with late husband Derek, who died in 2024(Image: James Gourley/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Her Good Morning Britain colleague Susanna Reid was among the first to comment on the post, writing: “Sending so much love to you all.” Fans also sent well wishes, with one posting: “Beautiful picture and lovely words.” Another said: “So true Kate sending lots of love.” While a third added: “I lost my Dad in 2019 and miss him so much. Thinking of you and your family xx.”
Former political lobbyist and psychotherapist Derek died in January 2024 at the age of 56. He had been suffering from the effects of Covid for four years and was rushed into hospital after a heart attack just before Christmas that year. Sadly, Kate announced that doctors had been unable to save him.
Sharing the tragic news Kate said that Derek passed away “surrounded by his family in his final days”. She said: “I was holding his hand throughout the last long hours when he passed.”
Posting a photo of Derek before he got ill, Kate captioned the post: “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.”
She continued: “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.”
Derek was first hospitalised after contracting Covid in March 2020. He fell into a coma at the start of the global pandemic and was put on a ventilator – becoming Britain’s longest suffering Covid-19 victim as he spent 13 months in hospital.
The dad-of-two returned home from hospital in April 2021, but required round-the-clock care and assistance, as he struggled to return to full health. But his body couldn’t survive the heart attack he suffered just before Christmas in 2023.
More than two years since she lost Derek, Kate shared the happy news that she had found love again with new boyfriend, Liam Halligan.
Liam is an Irish-British economist and journalist who presents The Telegraph’s weekly Planet Normal podcast and was reportedly friendly with Kate’s late husband.
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Speaking at the Chelsea Flower Show last month, Kate opened up about the relationship for the very first time, telling The Mirror: “It is lovely.”
But she added that it was still early days in their relationship: “We basically haven’t really had time for a proper date! I don’t want to jinx it! I don’t want to say anything because I will jinx it!”
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