Kate Garraway is battling “constant pain” after losing her husband Derek Draper, her Good Morning Britain co-star has said.
Charlotte Hawkins opened up to Best Magazine about Kate’s resilience, confessing her ITV family have “pulled together” to be there for the I’m A Celeb star in her time of need. Charlotte said: “When Kate lost her husband, Derek, in January, everyone pulled together to support her. She's been through an extraordinarily tough time."
She added: “When you lose someone that you love very much, it’s constant pain. You wonder what the way forward will be it's not a question of getting over it, but learning to live with it."
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Derek died from complications of long Covid at the age of just 56, leaving behind Kate and their two children, Darcey and Billy. Charlotte acknowledged Kate’s strength in raising her kids while dealing with the loss of her beloved husband, explaining: “It's going to take time for Kate to heal, but she knows we're all here for her."
Kate was left heartbroken this month when she received only one polling card through the post – for her late husband and not for herself. Her daughter Darcey, who has just turned 18, didn’t receive a card either.
Kate explained: “I'm in a situation, I was very excited about it, I thought my daughter and I, who has turned 18 recently, could go and vote for the first time. She's now saying she doesn't think she did properly register. Polling cards have come through the door, I haven't had one for myself or her. The only polling card that's come through the door is for Derek, sadly, who's passed away.
“Is there any way around that situation because there are many people saying 'I haven't received a card' or 'I have received a card I think but I can't remember and I don't know if I've lost it'. What do you do about registration at this late stage?" Sadly it was too late for Kate to register to vote for the 2024 election.
Derek passed away in January 2024, with Kate announcing to fans: “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.
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“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."
