COVER STORY Derek’s ‘huge challenges’, Holly’s upset over rejection, plus lots more celeb news

Kate’s 18 months of hell

Kate Garraway revealed that her husband Derek Draper still faces “huge challenges” in his recovery. It’s been 18 months of hell for the GMB presenter after the former Labour spin doctor was struck down with the coronavirus in March 2020. He has been recuperating at home alongside his wife and their children Darcey, 15, and Billy, 11.

“He’s very up and down, we’re certainly not a long way out of the woods,” she told her co-host Alastair Campbell as they presented GMB on 9 July. After 13 months in hospital, Derek, who turns 54 next month, returned home, but remains in a serious condition. Kate, 54, explained his release from hospital wasn’t due to his condition improving, but she said Derek’s on the mend. “Being home has meant we’ve seen some things improve,” she revealed. “Definitely having the family around, having the children around, has provided stimulation.”

However, Kate is aware of premature optimism when it comes to her husband, who is thought to be the UK’S longest-surviving COVID patient. “I think the problem is you latch on to the positives, which is good because you have to, but there’s no doubt there are huge challenges ahead,” she said. Despite being told by doctors that Derek’s at “serious risk of dying” and there’s “little chance” of him making a meaningful recovery after two years, Kate has said she’ll “never give up on him”. She added, “I hope that my wonderful Derek is going to keep fighting.”