Inside Derek Draper’s long Covid health battle as Kate Garraway’s husband dies days after heart
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DEREK Draper sadly passed away today after three long years of health battles.
The tragic news came after the dad-of-two suffered a major heart attack on December 11.
Kate announced the heartbreaking news in a moving Instagram post today.
She wrote: "I’m sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away.
"As some of you may know he has been critically ill following a cardiac arrest in early December which, because of the damage inflicted by Covid in March 2020, led to further complications.
"Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed."
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Derek's tragic death comes as:
- Kate Garraway posted tragic tribute to her husband Derek Draper after he passed away in hospital on January 5
- Derek, 56, was left fighting for his life in hospital after suffering a massive heart attack December 11
- Derek had suffered devastating health problems after contracting the virus at the start of the pandemic in 2020
- Last photo of Derek revealed a dedicated husband by his wife's side as she was made OBE 6 months ago
- Kate wrote that she was 'sad to have to tell you my darling husband Derek has passed away'
- She revealed he was surrounded by family and she was by his side holding his hand throughout his last hours
Kate stepped away from all on-screen responsibilities and stayed by her husband's bedside in a vigil after his health took a downward turn.
A source said: “Derek suffered a massive heart attack which has left him fighting for his life all over again.
“It was sudden and a shock as he had been doing so well and was in great spirits, looking forward to Christmas at home with the family.
"Kate is by his side 24 hours a day and is willing him on to win this latest battle for his life.
“Kate has been utterly incredible — by his side while being an amazing mum to Darcey and Billy, and trying to manage their expectations of a family Christmas.”
Derek's long and painful health battle started when he was rushed into hospital in 2021 after contracting Covid.
He spent 214 days in treatment on a ventilator, four months of which he was in an induced coma.
The virus tragically caused brain inflammation, kidney failure, and damage to his liver and pancreas.
By July, 2020, the dad-of-two was brought out of the deep sleep but remained "minimally conscious".
In September the same year, Kate gave a harrowing update which explained her husband had lost eight stone laying in his hospital bed.
After a painstaking seven months of treatment, Derek spoke his first word - "pain" - but the next day was able to breath without a ventilator.
Kate's Finding Derek documentary aired in March which showed the heartbreaking moment her husband woke up from his coma.
However, he was welcomed home by Kate and their two children, Darcey and William, in April 2021 and started receiving round-the-clock care.
Even by October 2021, Derek was still sleeping 20 hours a day and unable to communicate properly.
He remained in a similar condition continuing into 2022 - when Kate confessed Derek was still phenomenally fatigued and very weak.
Derek's health declined and in February the family were told he could die within three days if he was left alone.
Stints in hospital were a frequent occurrence and in August 2022 it was touch and go when he contracted "life-threatening" sepsis.
But, after a brave battle, it appeared hope was on the horizon earlier this year.
Derek was able to talk, albeit it through whispering, and he was proud to watch Kate receive her MBE award at Windsor Castle in June 2023.
Sadly, less than a week after the joyous event, the dad-of-two was rushed to hospital yet again.
Derek Draper's three-year health battle
- March 30, 2020: Derek is rushed unresponsive to hospital with Covid.
- April 24: He is put into an induced coma.
- June 5: Kat reveals Derek is Covid-free but his body suffered damage.
- July 5: He awakens from a deep coma but remains "minimally conscious".
- September 6: Kate then reveals Derek lost eight stone and cannot speak.
- September 29: Derek becomes the longest-suffering Covid patient after spending 184 days in hospital.
- October 30: Wakes from coma and speaks for the first time in seven months.
- October 31: He is finally taken off ventilator after 214 days in hospital.
- January 7, 2021: Kate reveals kids got to visit Derek at Christmas - the first time since he was hospitalised.
- April 9: Derek returns home after over a year but needs full-time care.
- May 4: He is able to converse more.
- December 22: Pictured in public for the first time at a panto.
- February 21, 2022: Kate says they secretly flew to Mexico for a medical trail.
- July 6: Derek is rushed back to hospital.
- August 1: He is in intensive care with "life-threatening" sepsis.
- June 28, 2023: He sees wife Kate made MBE.
- October 8: Kate reveals Derek is "not doing great" after an infection.
- November 23: In hospital for treatment to help with movement.
- December 11: Taken ill and suffers heart attack.
In October, Kate offered a health update in which she revealed her husband was "not doing great" after coming down with another infection.
The following month she spoke openly and said "his brain is now his worst enemy".
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A brain scan last year showed white patches, usually seen in patients with vascular dementia.
He sadly suffered a major heart attack on December 11 and passed away on January 5.
