Kate’s story of power and hope in husband’s battle against Covid-19
Kate with Derek in 2019, left, and with Derek and the children after I’m A Celebrity…
KATE Garraway is writing the “raw and emotional” story of her husband Derek’s battle with the after-effects of Covid-19.
The Good Morning Britain presenter’s book, The Power Of Hope, will also reveal the “devastating impact” on him and their family.
Derek Draper, 53, became critically ill after contracting coronavirus in March last year. The former lobbyist and political adviser was in a medicallyinduced coma from
April until July.
Still seriously ill in hospital, Derek no longer has Covid but is dealing with the effects on his body and vital organs.
Recounting how the illness took hold of their lives, Kate, 53, will tell how she is coping with the uncertainty of their future, how she has found strength in community and how she strives to hold on to hope. Kate, who appeared in I’m A Celebrity… in 2019, said: “This virus has impacted every single one of us. We are all going through this, to a greater or lesser degree.
“By telling the story of Derek’s illness and how it has altered our lives, I hope to be able to reach out to others who are suffering. If writing about my experience… can in some way help another who is feeling lost or in despair, it will mean a lot.”
The couple have two Darcey, 14, and Billy, 11.
Speaking back in November – when Derek mouthed his first word in six months – Kate spoke of the importance of hope but also how there was a long road ahead. She said on GMB: “I think the power of hope is huge, but you’re also constantly trying to think, ‘At what point do you have to start being real?’
“It is still a long road to go, and we don’t know how far down that road he can come.
“He’s been able to fight out of this to utter the word ‘pain’.
“Again, it’s horrible because I don’t want him to be feeling pain – it would have been much nicer if it had been, ‘I love you darling Kate’, ‘Say hi to the children’, or something!
“But it’s the first step…I’m hoping it’s the beginning of recovery.”
Kate’s book is expected to coincide with an ITV documentary she is making about Derek’s illness.
Kate’s book out in April children,