Kate Garraway Says She Sees "Flashes Of The Old Derek" As Husband Battles Long Covid

TV presenter Kate Garraway has said that she still sees "flashes of the old" Derek" as her husband continues to battle health problems caused by Covid-19.

Kate's husband Derek Draper was rushed to hospital having been diagnosed with Covid-19 in March 2020. He spent months in hospital, before returning home.

Speaking to the Sun, the Good Morning Britain presenter has said that her husband suffers "a kind of heartbreak" everyday. 

Despite being free of the virus, former political advisor Draper has suffered severe damage to his organs and requires constant care at home. His wife Kate has stated that she feels "really lonely" while caring for him and watching him face his new reality.  

"It’s like there’s both grief and hope in the same moment", she said. "There are flashes of the old Derek and then he disappears again, and you’re left just feeling really lonely". 

She added, "Derek dreams about the ‘before’, and every morning it’s just so, so awful seeing him wake up, and the realisation of where he is". 

Kate also revealed that her husband used to be a big eater whos "lack of appetite" makes it feel like it is "living with a stranger". 

The film Kate Garraway: Caring For Derek will air on ITV on February 22. This will show viewers an insight into the family's journey as Draper arrivies home from hospital in April 2021. This is a follow up to 2021's Finding Derek which how the family coped when Derek was critically ill in hospital. 

The couple got married in 2005 and have a son and daughter together. 

Along with taking over Piers Morgan as host of Life Stories, Garraway was made an MBE in the new year for her services to broadcasting, journalism and charity.