Kate’s Covid diary
TV host hopes story of husband’s fight for life will be help to others
KATE Garraway is writing a book about the “raw and emotional” story of her husband Derek Draper’s fight against Covid-19.
The Power of Hope, out in April, is the TV presenter’s diary of the disease’s “devastating impact” on him and their entire family.
And mum-of-two Kate, 53, hopes it will help comfort other stricken families across Britain.
“While my experience of Covid is extreme and extraordinary, I’m only too aware that this virus has impacted every single one of us,” she said. “We’re all going through this, to some degree.
“By telling the story of Derek’s illness and how it has altered our family’s lives, I hope to be able to reach out to others who are suffering.
“If writing about my experience of facing fear, coping daily with an uncertain future and finding strength for the sake of my kids can help another person feeling lost or in despair, it’ll mean a lot.”
Derek, 53, spent three months in an induced coma after being infected last March and in November mouthed his first word for six months.
He no longer has Covid but remains in hospital, where he continues to recover slowly from the virus’s ravaging effects.
Kate will tell in her book how she has found strength in community – and how she strives for hope, even at the darkest of times.
She was absent from ITV’S Good Morning Britain amid Derek’s fight for life, during which she admitted being “consumed with fear”.
In November she told GMB a long road of recovery lay ahead, adding: “I think the power of hope is huge – but you also try to think, ‘When is hope still real?’”
Referring to kids Darcey, 14, and Billy, 11, Kate went on: “I have to be careful, for the children, of not running away with that hope and thinking, ‘Derek will soon be home’.”
But she said his first utterance in so long was “a massive moment” – even though it was the word “pain”.
Her book is expected to coincide with an ITV documentary she is making on the family ordeal.
Transworld editorial director Michelle Signore called Kate “inspirational”. He added: “I am honoured to be publishing her book, which, as well as telling her deeply personal story, will offer comfort and hope to anyone else suffering at this most challenging of times.”
The Power of Hope will be published in April 2021 in hardback by Transworld Publishers.
I’m only too aware that this virus impacts every single one of us
KATE GARRAWAY IN SYMPATHY WITH VICTIMS