The former Labour advisor has been severely unwell since he got Covid at the start of 2020
Kate Garraway has pulled out of Good Morning Britain because her husband Derek Draper has taken a “very serious” turn.
Draper, 54, has been rushed back to hospital as he continues a horrific battle with long Covid. He caught the virus at the start of 2020 and spent 13 months in hospital. The former Labour advisor was able to return home but has still been suffering with major health problems. He is unable to fully communicate and also struggles with his mobility.
It was only weeks ago that Garraway, 55, said she hoped her husband was improving, but a source close to the family has confirmed that Draper is “seriously unwell” and receiving specialist care in hospital.
Garraway has also pulled out of her mid-morning radio show on Smooth FM.
The source told The Sun: “Derek has been taken back to hospital this morning in a very serious condition. The family are very worried about him but Derek is in the best hands.
“Kate is by his side and is keeping it together as best she can. She’s a total professional and devoted to her work – both on Good Morning Britain and Smooth – but she had no choice but to step away this week to be there with him.
“This is an incredibly difficult time for her and their family.”
The couple had been enjoying spending time at home with their two children Darcey, 16, and Billy 12, though Garraway had admitted she was “exhausted” from doing all she can to help her husband recover.
Draper’s journey has been documented in two ITV programmes called Finding Derek and Caring for Derek. Heartbreakingly, one revealed how it took months before he was able to tell his wife he “loves her” again, for the first time since he had become unwell.
The second film also revealed how, in November, Garraway secretly flew her husband to North America for a ground-breaking medical trial.
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