Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper loss of life newest: Former political adviser dies aged 56 following three-year lengthy Covid battle

Sky Information’ Ian King paid shifting tribute to Derek Draper throughout a stay broadcast after studying concerning the loss of life of his ‘nice good friend’.

Mr Draper died after struggling a coronary heart assault earlier than Christmas following a protracted and tragic battle with Covid, his spouse Kate Garraway revealed right now.

A crestfallen Mr King, who studied at College of Manchester with 56-year-old Mr Draper, paid tribute to his good friend in an emotional assertion on air.

Derek Draper was born in Chorley, Lancashire on August 15, 1967.

He attended Runshaw Faculty, Leyland earlier than pursuing additional schooling on the College of Manchester.

Throughout his political profession as a lobbyist and a political advisor, he was additionally a researcher for Labour minister Peter Mandelson.

Mr Draper turned a director of lobbying agency GPC Market Entry in 1996 and arrange the New Labour organisation Progress with Liam Byrne, who went on to develop into an MP.

Derek later spent three years pursuing a profession in psychotherapy, and coaching to be a psychotherapist in California.

In direction of the tail finish of the 90s, he was additionally dabbled on the earth of print journalism, working because the political editor of the Fashionable Evaluation.

He was additionally a columnist for the Day by day Categorical for a short while, and later a number on Speak Radio UK.

Piers Morgan has remembered Derek Draper as a ‘brilliantly intelligent and humorous man’ following his loss of life.

The TV presenter additionally hailed his former Good Morning Britain co-host Kate Garraway for her ‘loyal, loving, selfless devotion’ throughout her husband’s sickness.

Morgan shared a beatiful picture of the couple and wrote: ‘RIP Derek Draper.

‘A brilliantly intelligent & humorous man who fought his covid well being hell with such braveness & resilience, helped each step of the best way by his magnificent spouse @kategarraway whose loyal, loving, selfless devotion was really astounding. Heartbreaking information.’

Public apperances had been very uncommon for Derek Draper amid his tragic battle with Covid-19.

Regardless of being certain to a wheelchair and requiring 24-hour care, Draper did make an look on the marriage ceremony of his former boss Peter Mandelson final October.

Draper and Kate Garraway had been amongst high-profile company who watched the Labour grandee tie the knot along with his long-term associate Reinaldo Avila da Silva.

There was additionally a touching second (see picture beneath) the place Mandelson shook the hand of his former researcher and adviser. The peer held Garraway’s hand on the similar time.

Former Labour chief Ed Miliband mentioned: ‘I’m deeply sorry to listen to of the loss of life of Derek Draper.

‘He was somebody of deep intelligence, values and wit who was the life and soul of the numerous worlds he inhabited, together with politics.’

The shadow local weather minister mentioned: ‘I first met Derek 30 years in the past and, like anybody who met him, I used to be drawn into his orbit by his charisma and love of life. He was a loyal and good good friend to so many.

‘The previous couple of years have been a dwelling nightmare for him and his household.

‘All of my deepest condolences exit to Kate, Darcey and Billy and all his household.’

Derek Draper is pictured leaving his north London residence in 1998

Kate Garraway has beforehand described her husband Derek Draper as one of many sickest sufferers with Covid-19 docs had handled.

In an interview in June 2020, just some months after Mr Draper contracted the virus, Garraway advised Good Morning Britain: ‘(The docs) have by no means seen this earlier than.

‘My docs say to me he’s the worst affected individual they’ve needed to deal with. They mentioned he’s one in every of 5 instances on the earth like this.’

She mentioned that by June 2020 he was ‘Covid-free’, however ‘it is wreaked extraordinary injury on his physique and we do not know if he can get better from that’.

Throughout his time in hospital in 2020, Mr Draper was placed on a ventilator and positioned in an induced coma for a number of weeks.

However simply over a 12 months after contracting Covid, Mr Draper was capable of depart hospital and return to his household residence in north London, with round the clock care.

In August 2022 he was taken to hospital with sepsis however managed to drag by means of.

Nonetheless in early December 2023 Mr Draper suffered an enormous coronary heart assault and was taken to hospital. Garraway introduced his loss of life right now.

Derek Draper is pictured mendacity in mattress at his London residence in a clip from ‘Kate Garraway: Caring For Derek’

The Good Morning Britain (GMB) presenter had been open about her household’s journey after her husband Derek Draper fell significantly unwell with Covid-19 in March 2020.

Garraway created two documentaries detailing her household’s life as Draper fought long-term sickness, with each programmes profitable a Nationwide Tv Award within the authored documentary class.

She additionally wrote two books, The Energy Of Hope and The Energy Of Love: Embracing An Unsure Future With Resilience And Optimism.

Carers Belief chief government Kirsty McHugh, mentioned: ‘We’re saddened to listen to the information about Derek Draper’s loss of life and our ideas exit to his household.

‘Derek’s sickness and Kate Garraway’s devoted take care of him touched the hearts of so many people.

‘By sharing her personal expertise, Kate shone a lightweight on the selfless care that thousands and thousands of members of the family give to their family members throughout the UK.

‘All too usually, unpaid carers are hidden away however Kate laid naked the very actual challenges so many households face and the help they want.’

The couple are pictured beneath on the Satisfaction of Britain Awards in 2005

Charlotte Hawkins described the information as ‘completely heartbreaking’ and despatched ‘a lot love’ to her fellow Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway.

In a put up on Instagram, Hawkins additionally requested others to ship Garraway ‘love and prayers’ at the moment.

Alongside a photograph of Draper and Garraway beaming, she wrote: ‘Such desperately unhappy information about Derek.

‘It has been an extremely powerful time for all of the household & Kate has been so robust all through all this – please ship her your love & prayers so she is aware of we’re all right here for her.’

You’ll be able to learn Day by day Mail TV critic Christopher Stephens’ article on Derek Draper and Kate Garraway beneath.

Stephens hailed Garraway for her ‘tirless devotion’ and mentioned that ‘for almost 4 lengthy years, love stored Derek Draper alive’.

The Day by day Mail author says that Draper will depart behind a long-lasting legacy following his loss of life at 56.

Click on beneath to learn his full piece…

ITV boss Kevin Lygo despatched ‘heartfelt condolences’ to Garraway on behalf of employees on the broadcaster who’ve labored along with her over time.

In an announcement, the ITV managing director of media and leisure mentioned: ‘Everybody that has labored with Kate at ITV over the previous few years are desperately saddened to listen to this horrible information.

‘Our ideas and heartfelt condolences are with Kate and Derek’s household and we’ll proceed to supply our help in any manner we will at this very troublesome time.’

Kate Garraway and Derek Draper are pictured beneath on the Galaxy British Guide Awards at Grosvenor Home on April 3, 2009 in London

As talked about earlier, Kate and Derek met by means of a GMTV colleague in 2004 and tied the knot the next 12 months at St Mary The Virgin Church in Primrose Hill.

They then additionally had a northern marriage ceremony for Lancashire-born Draper at St Mary’s Parish Membership in Chorley.

Beneath they’re seen exchanging vows on the London marriage ceremony. The footage was shared for ITV’s Discovering Derek documentary.

ITV’s Unfastened Ladies opened its programme by reflecting on the loss of life of Derek Draper.

Presenter Kaye Adams mentioned: ‘We’ve got all clearly been moved by Kate and the household’s journey over the past three or 4 years and so filled with admiration for the best way that they’ve handled the unbelievable challenges that they confronted and as I say, the saddest of reports.’

In a heartfelt message of help, Coronation Road actress Sue Cleaver mentioned: ‘All of us acquired to accompany Kate on this horrible journey by means of these wonderful documentaries that she made.

‘The darkest time of her life but she was nonetheless capable of spotlight the roles of carers in all places right now. My coronary heart is simply with them and I am so so sorry to listen to the information.

Love Island star Olivia Attwood added: ‘Terribly unhappy isnt it? Two younger children with out a father and Kate now on her personal, it is terrible. It is heartbreaking.

And Ms Adams completed by saying: ‘We won’t actually say any extra. It is so uncooked.’

She added: ‘Her most up-to-date e book was known as the Energy of Love and my goodness Kate, you displayed a power of affection that I can barely ponder.’

The pair had been launched to 1 one other by former GMTV political editor Gloria De Piero in 2004 – two years after Kate Garraway’s divorce from Ian Rumsey.

Kate advised The Occasions how her matchmaking good friend broached the topic of the pairing saying: ‘Someday, because the solar was rising, she mentioned, “I’m having an epiphany. You and Derek Draper.” I used to be, like, “Who?”’

Mr Draper had simply moved again from the US, having retrained as a pscotherapist after leaving politics, and De Piero thought they’d be good collectively.

She arrange drinks with a bunch of individuals and Draper arrvied pondering it was a date and that she was ‘being extremely cool by ignoring him’.

Kate added: ‘He requested me out, however the day of our date known as to say he had a conflict.

‘He’d promised to serve wine at an beginner watercolour portray exhibition at his church. I actually thought it was a wind-up.

‘However I turned up and he was certainly serving wine to the congregation in a salmon-pink jumper.’

Kate and Derek are pictured dancing on the Nationwide Tv Awards in 2007

Gordon Brown, who was prime minister and chief of the Labour Occasion from 2007 to 2010, wrote: So unhappy that after such a courageous battle Derek Draper has misplaced his life consequently of Covid.

‘I’ll bear in mind him as sensible, inventive and multitalented, and our ideas are with Kate, Darcey and Billy. RIP Derek.’

Throughout each the Blair and Brown years, Draper was one in every of Westminster’s greatest recognized characters.

Fellow broadcaster Carol Vorderman posted on X: ‘Kate Garraway has simply introduced that her husband Derek has died and that she was ‘by his facet holding his hand all through the final lengthy hours.’

‘Sending my ideas & like to Kate and their household.

‘Heartbreaking, after the final years, they’ve misplaced the person they love a lot’.

Kate Garraway’s annoncement that her husband had died was met with tens of 1000’s of feedback, together with from Sir Elton John.

Sir Elton wrote: ‘So sorry to listen to of this information, Kate. Love and ideas to you and your loved ones x’

Draper attended the Rocket Man’s Farewell Yellow Brick Highway live performance at London’s O2 Enviornment in April after being invited together with Garraway because the company of honour.

Lorraine Kelly can also be amongst those that have despatched messages of help to Kate Garraway.

Kelly wrote to her observe ITV presenter: ‘So sorry Kate. You fought so onerous. Simply extremely unhappy. Sending you’re keen on’.

Radio host Zoe Ball mentioned she was ‘heartbroken’ for Garraway and her kids.

She added: ‘A lot love coming your manner from so many. Might Dereks star at all times shine brightest for you xxxx’

Singer and presenter Peter Andre mentioned he was ‘sorry’ to listen to the information, including: ‘We ship all our love. Ideas with you all.’

Comic Alan Carr additionally shared his sympathies with the TV presenter, saying: Oh Kate that is so terrible. Sending you a lot love and the deepest condolences.’

You’ll be able to learn a number of the heartfelt tributes beneath

GB Information presenter Pip Tomson was overcome with emotion as she delivered the heartbreaking information that her former colleague Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper has died.

Along with her voice shaking as she learn out the information, Tomson advised viewers. ‘Im sorry. I labored with Kate for a very long time so that is actually troublesome. Such a robust lady.’

Derek Draper was among the many first within the UK to fall unwell with Covid-19 in March 2020 and spent 13 months in hospital earlier than he was discharged.

Regardless of being freed from the virus, he was one of many nation’s longest-suffering Covid sufferers after struggling long-lasting injury to his organs. He required day by day care.

In 2021, his spouse Kate Garraway gained a prize on the Nationwide Tv Awards for the documentary Discovering Derek, about her household’s expertise throughout the pandemic.

It detailed her husband’s therapy and his subsequent return to their household residence.

In July 2022, Garraway confirmed Mr Draper had been readmitted to hospital and later that month it was reported that his situation had worsened.

His battle with the virus gained a lot consideration and help, together with from former prime minister Boris Johnson and the royal household.

He suffered an enormous coronary heart assault final month and MailOnline understands he handed away on Wednesday night time in a North London hospital.

He was pictured in June beneath with Kate’s dad and mom Gordon and Marilyn after his spouse collected an MBE at Windsor Fort

Amongst these to pay tribute is Alastair Campbell, a fellow distinguished New Labour determine within the Nineties.

He tweeted: ‘Very unhappy to listen to the information about Derek Draper. He was an enormous character, a giver not a taker, and had a lot extra to present earlier than Covid took its toll.

‘Unhappy above all for @kategarraway and the kids. Their love and help was profound and unshakeable to the tip. RIP’.

Susanna Reid and Charlotte Hawkins have additionally despatched their like to fellow Good Morning Britain host Kate Garraway after she introduced her husband has died.

Within the feedback of Garraway’s put up announcement put up on Instagram, Reid wrote: ‘Our complete hearts are with you all.’

Presenter Hawkins additionally mentioned she was ‘desperately sorry’ to listen to the information.

She added: ‘Kate, it is completely heartbreaking. A lot like to you all.’

Ian King, who went to school with Derek Draper, broke the devastating information on Sky right now.

He mentioned: ‘We’ve got some breaking information and I am afraid it is terribly unhappy information. Derek Draper, the husband after all of the tv presenter and journalist Kate Garraway – and well-known determine in British politics for the final 25 years has died.’

Preventing again tears, Mr King continued to learn out: ‘His spouse Kate Garraway has mentioned in an Instagram put up she was by his hand, holding his hand, all through the final lengthy hours.’

‘After all Derek was a sufferer of Covid proper from the outset. Very very severeley affected by that.’

He added: ‘Awfully unhappy information and really personally for me too as a result of I used to be at college with Derek greater than 30 years in the past and I thought of him an incredible good friend. My condolences to the household.’

You’ll be able to watch Ian King’s emotional broadcast beneath…

Tony Blair has described Derek Draper as ‘somebody you at all times needed in your facet’.

He mentioned of the previous New Labour spin physician: ‘I’m so unhappy to listen to the information about Derek. My coronary heart goes out to Kate and their kids William and Darcey.

‘It’s extraordinary and noteworthy that Derek survived so lengthy after the ravages of Covid. And that was in massive measure as a result of love Derek had for his household and so they for him. This additionally says one thing very particular about Derek.

‘He was a troublesome generally ruthless political operative, an excellent adviser and somebody you at all times needed in your facet.

‘However beneath that powerful exterior he was a loving, form, beneficiant and good natured man you needed as a good friend.

‘He was an essential a part of the New Labour story, on the centre of issues proper initially. However most essential of all, he was a great colleague and nice good friend. And we’ll miss him deeply.’

Extra tributes are flooding in now, which we’ll carry you as a part of stay protection.

Former lobbyist and political adviser Derek Draper was a part of one in every of Britain’s most distinguished media energy {couples} along with his marriage to TV presenter Kate Garraway.

In 2005, Mr Draper married Ms Garraway, the GMTV co-presenter who’s now a part of the Good Morning Britain group on ITV and appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2007 and I am A Celeb… Get Me Out Of Right here! in November 2019.

In 2008 he returned to the Labour highlight as the top of the web site LabourList, a left-wing rival to on-line portals resembling Conservative Residence.

He hit the headlines once more in 2009 and stepped down as editor of LabourList after e mail correspondence between him and Damian McBride, one in every of Gordon Brown’s key aides, was leaked.

Beneath is an image taken on their marriage ceremony day which was proven within the ITV documentary Discovering Derek.

The New Labour spin physician reached nice heights of affect within the Nineties however turned greatest recognized for his involvement within the ‘lobbygate’ scandal.

A former researcher for Blairite Peter Mandelson, Mr Draper turned a director of lobbying agency GPC Market Entry in 1996 and arrange the New Labour organisation Progress with Liam Byrne, who went on to develop into an MP.

It was whereas working at GPC that Mr Draper was caught on tape boasting to an undercover journalist of his authorities connections.

In one of many first sleaze scandals to hit Tony Blair’s fledgling administration, he reportedly claimed: ‘There are 17 individuals who depend on this authorities, and to say I’m intimate with all of them is the understatement of the century.’

Derek Draper (circled) is seen standing subsequent to Labour grandees together with Neil Kinnock, John Prescott and Peter Mandelson (proper)

Kate Garraway’s ITV colleagues Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary have paid tribute.

‘We’ve got some actually unhappy information to carry to you. Derek Draper, the husband of our very personal Kate Garraway, has sadly handed away,’ Alison mentioned on This Morning.

‘We simply need to say all of us right here at This Morning are sending our like to you Kate and naturally Darcey and Billie.’

You’ll be able to watch their tribute beneath…

If you’re simply discovering out concerning the tragic information that Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper has died, you may observe our foremost information story right here beneath.

Derek Draper died on Wednesday night time with Kate Garraway by his bedside.

Derek Draper died after struggling long-lasting signs from coronavirus.

In July 2022, Garraway confirmed Mr Draper had been readmitted to hospital and later that month it was reported that his situation had worsened.

His battle with the virus gained a lot consideration and help, together with from former prime minister Boris Johnson and the royal household.

Kate Garraway and Derek Draper married in 2005 and had two kids, Darcey and Billy.

They’re pictured collectively at Heathrow Airport in 2009.

In 2021, Good Morning Britain presenter Garraway gained a prize on the Nationwide Tv Awards for the documentary Discovering Derek, about her household’s expertise throughout the pandemic.

It detailed her husband’s therapy and his subsequent return to their household residence.

Derek Draper was a former lobbyist and political adviser who was married to TV presenter Kate Garraway.

A distinguished determine in New Labour within the Nineties, Mr Draper labored for Blairite Peter Mandelson and arrange the Progress organisation with Liam Byrne, who went on to develop into an MP.

After he was embroiled within the so-called ‘cash-for-access’ scandal, dubbed ‘lobbygate’, he travelled to the US, the place he retrained as a psychotherapist.

Mr Draper fell significantly unwell with Covid-19 in March 2020 and spent 13 months in hospital earlier than he was discharged. Regardless of being freed from the virus, he had suffered long-lasting injury to his organs and required day by day care.

In a put up on Instagram following the loss of life of her husband, Derek Draper, Kate Garraway mentioned: ‘I am unhappy to need to inform you all that my darling husband Derek has handed away.

‘As a few of you could know he has been critically unwell following a cardiac arrest in early December which, due to the injury inflicted by Covid in March 2020, led to additional issues.

‘Derek was surrounded by his household in his ultimate days and I used to be by his facet holding his hand all through the final lengthy hours and when he handed. I’ve a lot extra to say, and naturally I’ll achieve this in the end, however for now I simply need to thank all of the medical groups who fought so onerous to save lots of him and to make his ultimate moments as comfy and dignified as doable.

‘Sending a lot love and because of all of you who’ve so generously given our household a lot help. Relaxation gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I used to be so fortunate to have you ever in my life.’

Good morning and welcome to MailOnline’s liveblog as we carry you the very unhappy information that Derek Draper has died.

His spouse Kate Garraway revealed his loss of life this morning, saying was ‘by his facet holding his hand all through the final lengthy hours’.