Derek’s vow to Kate: ‘You’ll see me again’

THE husband oftv presenter Kate Garraway promised her “this is not the last time you will see me” as he was taken to hospital with severe Covid last March.

Derek Draper made the vow as he was lifted in an ambulance at the start of his year-long battle against the deadly virus.

But in her new memoir the Good Morning Britain host says he would never have said that if at least “a small part of him” had not been wondering if it was the last time they would see each other.

Kate, 53, admits when Derek was taken to hospital with very low oxygen levels her toughest experience in life had begun.

She shares heartbreaking texts and phone calls they had from his hospital bed as he feared the worst before he was put in an induced coma.

In one call, he told her: “I want you at the funeral.” She writes in her book The Power Of Hope: “His messages became more and more desperate.they were heartbreaking to read.”

Former political adviser Derek, 53, was allowed home

this month after doctors said he was the most seriously sick patient to have survived the killer disease.

Kate praises “the brilliant team of doctors and specialists” who have looked after him. She adds that what they have learnt has helped the treatment of others.

Explaining why she wrote it, she adds: “I’m painfully aware that Derek would have wanted to tell his own story if he could – and one day he still may.

“I have tried to do him – and all those who love him – justice, and his love and life are present in every line.

“On an emotional level, I hope readers will also draw something from how we, his family, have struggled to cope.”

Although still seriously ill with experts coming in and out daily to care for him, Kate told GMB onthursday: “It’s a whirligig. It’s wonderful having Derek at home, lots of little positives.”

Kate, who is also a Smooth Radio presenter, added there are also “little moments of reaction” from him, such as when he knew she had a new work dress.

YEAR OF HELL: Derek Draper and Kate Garraway who feared worst