This week marks the poignant anniversary of the beginning of a nightmare for much-loved TV presenter Kate Garraway.
Twelve months ago, her husband Derek Draper was admitted into hospital with Coronavirus – and has remained there in a fight for his life ever since.
This week will see ITV documentary Finding Derek give a glimpse into how the Good Morning Britain presenter has navigated life with her husband in hospital while being both mum and dad to their children, Darcey, 15, and Billy, 11.
Derek is currently the longest- surviving Coronavirus patient in the UK suffering with “long COVID” – while he no longer tests positive for the disease, it’s ravaged his body and left him with multiple health conditions, including diabetes and holes in his heart and lungs.
In an emotional trailer for the documentary, Kate, 53, says, “Derek is the sickest person the team of doctors have treated this year. Is he going to be able to come back, or will he be alive but no longer the person he was?”
Viewers also saw the first photo taken in hospital of Derek – who has lost 8st since contracting the disease – which prompted an outpouring of love and support from fans.
Speaking on The One Show last week, Kate also detailed how Derek’s struggled in and out of consciousness while he remains in hospital. She said, “His brain has always been his best friend, he’s lived on his wit, and suddenly his brain – which also we know controls the body – is no longer his friend and he’s fighting to get out.”
And while the UK gears up for the lifting of lockdown restrictions in the coming weeks and months amid the success of the vaccine roll-out, Kate’s best friend and fellow TV presenter, Clare Nasir, tells Closer that the return to normality will be hard for the mum of two.
She says, “These last few months have been some of the darkest times for Kate but, incredibly, she’s stayed so strong and positive – hope is what drives her through.
“While she’s obviously delighted that it seems we may be beating this virus in some way and deaths and cases are dropping, the lifting of lockdown and things opening up will be a constant reminder that life is moving on and things are getting better – but not for her.
“As soon as we’re allowed to, her network of friends will be rallying around to be there for her every moment we can. [Kate’s co-host] Ben Shephard and I have said we’ll spend time at her house, helping with the kids, at the hospital, wherever we need to be to support her. She’s done so much on her own so far, so as soon as we can, her friends are going to be there.
Former political advisor turned psychotherapist Derek was taken into hospital just as the Coronavirus pandemic hit the UK last March, and remained in a medically-induced coma until July. On various occasions his heart stopped beating and doctors told Kate several times that he would likely die – with her even revealing last week that she was once told “he may have died”, before being called back and told that he hadn’t.
Check out: the possible Piers Morgan Good Morning Britain replacements 👀
Piers Morgan Good Morning Britain replacements - slider
1 of 8Alex Beresford
It would be quite the turn of events if Alex Beresford replaced Piers, given that their on-screen row caused him to storm off set before announcing his departure but that's exactly what some viewers have called for after Alex called out Piers' comments about Meghan Markle.
2 of 8Jeremy Clarkson
Another of Piers' foes who has been tipped to replace him is Jeremy Clarkson. Jez, who was reportedly once involved in a punch-up with Piers, fuelled the fire last night when he tweeted, "People of America. You sent Piers Morgan back to the UK. Now look what we've sent back to you. Ha. We win."
3 of 8Gemma Collins
The GC is no stranger to Good Morning Britain, having made a number of viral appearances on the show over the years, and some fans have called for her to get a permanent role now that there's a vacancy on the panel.
4 of 8Bimini & Tayce
RuPaul's Drag Race UK fans have suggested that queens Bimini and Tayce should replace Piers after impressing as breakfast TV hosts in the Morning Glory challenge a few weeks ago and we're SO here for it, tbh.
5 of 8Rylan Clark-Neal
After proving his daytime TV chops on This Morning over the years, Rylan's hotly tipped to be in the running to join the GMB panel. He'd definitely bring the fun factor to early mornings.
6 of 8Trisha Goddard
After her epic takedown of Piers on Good Morning Britain earlier this week, fans have suggested Trisha should replace him alongside Susanna Reid. She ruled daytime TV for years with her morning talk show Trisha so she'd be right at home.
7 of 8Gogglebox's Jenny and Lee
They keep the nation entertained on Friday nights and now a viral tweet has called for Gogglebox "legends" Jenny and Lee to replace Piers on Good Morning Britain. They definitely get our vote.
8 of 8Ranvir Singh
Ranvir hosted Good Morning Britain alongside Susanna Reid the morning after Piers' departure was announced, although ITV claimed she was always scheduled to appear on the show. She'd make a great permanent replacement though, and we'd love to see two women host the show.
Despite her horrendous year, Kate has kept herself busy with parenting her kids and returned to work on GMB in July – citing that she knew Derek would want her to “get on with life”.
And Clare now says that she, along with her close-knit friendship group, have all been in awe of Kate’s positivity and her refusal to accept that Derek may not survive.
She says, “Kate doesn’t think of the negatives or of how unlucky her situation is – she more thinks, ‘Wow, he’s survived when so many haven’t’. It’s incredible – and that strength has filtered down to her kids so that they can be as strong as possible, too.
“We’ve all just been in awe of her. There have been times we’ve worried when we couldn’t get hold of her – we make sure to have one person in touch with her at all times. But it’s always that she’s been too busy with work or home life – it’s how she keeps going.
“She has never for a moment discussed the possibility of a future without Derek. She’s been renovating her house so that it’s wheelchair accessible for when he’s back. She’s learned every single thing she can about Derek’s condition, long COVID, and the human body. She threw herself into homeschooling the kids and playing with them and supporting them. She’s very practical and the hope she has and her drive keep her going.”
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As Closer went to press, Kate’s documentary hadn’t aired – but Clare, having seen it beforehand, says that it broke her heart and all she wants is to take her friend on holiday once the ordeal is over.
Clare adds, “The documentary made me cry – it’s so incredibly sad, but also there are hints of the light and hope that Kate lives by. My heart just bursts with love for her. We all just want Derek home – we want him sitting in the garden, in the sun, relaxing at home with them all.
“And Kate needs a holiday – I usually go on holiday with her at least once a year, and I’m just desperate to take her away for some rest and relaxation whenever this nightmare is over. First and foremost, though, we all want Derek home and recovering.”
Finding Derek aired onTuesday 23 March at 9pm on ITV.