Derek Draper: Tributes pour in as ‘brave’ and ‘strong’ Kate Garraway announces husband’s death

Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has paid tribute to Derek, who was once an adviser for the Labour Party.

“So sad that after such a brave struggle Derek Draper has lost his life as a result of Covid,” he wrote. “I will remember him as brilliant, creative and multitalented, and our thoughts are with Kate, Darcey and Billy. RIP Derek.”

“My friend Mitch says that most obituaries aren’t so much as ‘the person that I knew’ as “the person that knew me”. This is especially true about writing about my experiences with Derek Draper, as although he was a man who made a tremendous impression on my life, and we spent a lot of pretty intense time together, I didn’t know him personally at all – he was my psychotherapist.”

“So so sorry to hear this Kate,” Line of Duty actor Vicky McClure wrote in response to Garraway’s Instagram post, adding: “Sending all my love to you and your family.”

Meanwhile, former X Factor winner Alexandra Burke said: “Kate, I’m so sorry. Sending you all so much love. Keeping you all in my thought’s & prayers.”

Loose Women, which was broadcast one hour after Kate Garraway’s announcement, paid tribute to Derek at the start of the episode.

“We’re gonna start with the saddest of news,” Kaye Adams said, with the panel, including Linda Robson and Sue Cleaver, saying they are “so full of admiration” for Garraway and her family’s bravery.

Adams continued; “We can’t really say anymore, it’s so raw. Kate’s most recent book was called The Strength of Love, and, my goodness, Kate, you displayed the strength of love in a way I can’t contemplate.”

Comedian Jason Manford replied to Kate Garraway’s post announcing Derek’s death: “Kate, I am so so sorry. Sending love to you and your family,” while former Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts added: “Sending so much love.”

TV host Lorraine Kelly has shared a message of support to Kate Garraway, calling her ITV colleague “strong and brave”.

She wrote: “THIS is just so sad. Our friend @kategarraway has been so strong and brave. Thoughts with her and her children and family. She was right by his side until the end and did him proud. An astonishing woman.”

Carol Vorderman has shared a tribute to Derek Draper, and sent love to Kate Garraway in the wake of her husband’s death following his lengthy battle with Covid.

She wrote on X/Twitter: “Heartbreaking, after the last years, they have lost the man they love so much.”

Kate Garraway has been caring for Draper full-time in the last three years since he suffered complications after contracting Covid in March 2020 – the early stages of the pandemic.

He had a heart attack in December, which left him “fighting for his life” due to the “damage inflicted” by the illness.

Garraway announced Draper’s death on Instagram on Friday (5 January), writing: “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.”

Tributes are pouring in for the former Labour Party adviser after Garraway announced Draper’s death on Instagram.

Broadcaster Alastair Campbell wrote: “Very sad to hear the news about Derek Draper. He was a huge character, a giver not a taker, and had so much more to give before Covid took its toll. Sad above all for @kategarraway and the children. Their love and support was profound and unshakeable to the end. RIP.”