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Ahead of their trip to Mexico for potentially life-saving treatment, Kate Garraway reflects on how her husband Derek’s long health battle has strengthened their marriage
Kate Garraway’s life was changed forever when her beloved husband Derek Draper was rushed to hospital with Covid-19 in March 2020. More than three years on, he continues to suffer from the long-term after-effects of the virus, but the Good Morning Britain star and their kids, Darcey (17) and Billy (12), have had their hopes raised as Derek, who had been bedbound, has been taken out on two milestone trips. The first was a visit to their local pub, something the couple used to enjoy frequently before Derek’s illnesses, and the second was to attend an Elton John concert.
The family travelled to the O2 in London where the singer dedicated his hit Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me to Kate and Derek. Sir Elton, 76, told fans the couple had endured “really tough times”.
“They’re inspiring,” he said. “They’ve never given up and I’m so thrilled they’re here.”
The trip took weeks to organise and just hours before the concert they feared Derek would be too weak to go but, according to Kate, he “was determined” to attend.
“As soon as we got into the stadium and Elton went on stage, he started weeping tears of joy, and squeezed my hand so tightly,” Kate admitted.
“We were all in tears, the kids and the nurses... (it) was an extraordinary moment we will all treasure forever.” Talking on her Smooth Radio show the day after the concert Kate, 55, said she couldn’t “thank Elton enough” for the “magical” experience, adding that Derek’s “spirit is lifted”.
The former Labour political adviser and psychotherapist continues to require full-time care, he struggles to move independently and speak, but the recent trips have led Kate to hope that he can one day return to his former self.
The couple are now preparing to return to Mexico for “potentially life-saving” treatment. “I think there’s a huge amount of hope for him to improve. I think the treatment could be positive,” she has said. Derek, 55, was first offered the specialist private medical care, as part of a clinical trial, at Monterrey, Mexico, after a US doctor saw Kate’s moving documentary Finding Derek. He stayed there for 28 days and his journey was featured in the follow-up programme, Caring for Derek. “The plan is to go back for another round of treatment and continue the trial in a way that is financially viable,” Kate revealed.
