Kate Garraway has honoured late husband Derek Draper’s dying wish to ‘be heard’ by the public with an emotional new documentary marking his final days. 

On Tuesday, Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story, will air on ITV, chronicling the former political lobbyist’s final year of life before his death in January aged 56. 

The documentary follows the two previous award-winning films also made by Flicker Productions: Finding Derek and Caring for Derek.

Joining Derek and Kate in May 2023, the film confronts head on the reality of Derek’s struggles and the effect on those around him while also capturing the sweet moments he spent with family and never-before-seen images and footage. 

ITV has revealed when Derek was asked why he wanted to take part in the film, he said: ‘I want to be heard.’ 

Kate Garraway has honoured late husband Derek Draper's dying wish to 'be heard' by the public with an emotional new documentary marking his final days (pictured in the new show)

Kate Garraway has honoured late husband Derek Draper's dying wish to 'be heard' by the public with an emotional new documentary marking his final days (pictured in the new show)

Kate Garraway has honoured late husband Derek Draper’s dying wish to ‘be heard’ by the public with an emotional new documentary marking his final days (pictured in the new show)

On Tuesday, Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story, will air on ITV , chronicling the former political lobbyist's final year of life before his death in January aged 56

On Tuesday, Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story, will air on ITV , chronicling the former political lobbyist's final year of life before his death in January aged 56

On Tuesday, Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story, will air on ITV , chronicling the former political lobbyist’s final year of life before his death in January aged 56

According to The Sun, an unreleased trailer for the documentary shows the former political lobbyist announcing: ‘My name’s Derek Draper, I want you to hear my story.’

Kate goes on to ask Derek: ‘You’ve written Covid changed everything. Do you mean for you?’ to which he replies: ‘Yes.’ 

He is shown lying in bed and writing in his notepad during a chat with Kate.

Derek’s Story also reflects on Derek’s life before Covid, including his high-profile political career, and his relationship with Kate, revealing how illness impacted their 19-year marriage. 

Speaking about why she set out to make the film, Kate shared: ‘Obviously when we started making this documentary early last year, we had no idea the events that would unfold that ultimately took Derek from us. 

‘And in January 2024, after he had passed, I wondered if it was right that it should ever come to air. 

‘But I didn’t want to let those who have given us so much support over the last four years down, and the carers paid and unpaid who in their thousands of letters to me, feel Derek’s story has given them a voice.’ 

Kate went on to explain that it had been Derek’s idea to film his plight as he wanted to help others suffering from long-term illnesses. 

Derek became seriously ill after contracting Covid in 2020 and required round the clock care as a result. 

Joining Derek and Kate in May 2023, the film confronts head on the reality of Derek’s struggles and the effect on those around him while also capturing the moments he spent with family

Joining Derek and Kate in May 2023, the film confronts head on the reality of Derek’s struggles and the effect on those around him while also capturing the moments he spent with family

Joining Derek and Kate in May 2023, the film confronts head on the reality of Derek’s struggles and the effect on those around him while also capturing the moments he spent with family

The documentary features never-before-seen photographs of the family and new footage documenting Derek's final months (pictured with son Billy in photographs featured on the show)

The documentary features never-before-seen photographs of the family and new footage documenting Derek's final months (pictured with son Billy in photographs featured on the show)

Pictured with Darcey and Kate in photographs featured on the show

Pictured with Darcey and Kate in photographs featured on the show

The documentary features never-before-seen photographs of the family and new footage documenting Derek’s final months (pictured with son Billy and daughter Darcey in photographs featured on the show)

The family are seen in happier times on the show before Derek suffered from his life-changing illness and required round the clock care

The family are seen in happier times on the show before Derek suffered from his life-changing illness and required round the clock care

The family are seen in happier times on the show before Derek suffered from his life-changing illness and required round the clock care 

An unreleased trailer for the documentary shows the former political lobbyist announcing: 'My name’s Derek Draper, I want you to hear my story'

An unreleased trailer for the documentary shows the former political lobbyist announcing: 'My name’s Derek Draper, I want you to hear my story'

An unreleased trailer for the documentary shows the former political lobbyist announcing: ‘My name’s Derek Draper, I want you to hear my story’

Kate shared: ‘I remember so vividly that the idea of making this third documentary at all came from Derek himself. I hadn’t planned to make another one. 

‘At the beginning of January 2023, he’d been released from a four month spell in hospital for sepsis and we were very positive about his recovery. 

‘Derek was determined to keep on getting better and improving. One day, we were sitting together while I was caring for him and he suddenly, from nowhere, asked, “Are we making another documentary?”

‘I said, “Well I hadn’t really planned to. Were you thinking that you would like to?” And he said firmly “yes” . I said, “Well, if we do, I think we should work on it together and it should be your story, told in your voice.”

‘Derek got very emotional at the idea, because his words and speech were so limited and there were so many things he wanted to say about the struggle we were all having as a family and he wanted to speak up about it.

‘I asked Derek “What would be your main message?” And he said, “Never give up fighting for what you believe in and for the people you love.”‘

Speaking about the upcoming documentary on Good Morning Britain this month, Kate confessed it had been ‘pretty emotional’ working on it.

Speaking with co-host Ed Balls, Kate admitted she ‘can’t quite believe’ that Derek, who died in January, isn’t with her to ‘watch his story’.

She shared: ‘It’s been pretty emotional actually. Makes you want to jump in the screen and give him a hug.

‘You can’t quite believe that he’s not with us to watch his story. But, hopefully, it will be very useful for others who that are going through the same thing. That’s the dream and the wish.’

Former Labour insider and psychotherapist Derek married presenter Kate, 56, in 2005 and they went on to welcome children Darcey 17 and Billy, 14.

He had been plagued with health woes after contracting the virus in March 2020, which saw him put in a coma, battle sepsis and left with difficulties communicating. 

Just over a year after contracting Covid, he was able to leave hospital and return to his family home in north London, with round-the-clock care.

In August 2022 he was taken to hospital with sepsis but pulled through. Then in early December 2023, Derek had a heart attack and was taken to hospital again.

Tragically, he wasn’t able to overcome the latest medical emergency and on January 5 Kate confirmed that Derek died.

In a post on social media, she said that her husband died surrounded by family and that she was ‘holding his hand throughout the last long hours’.

Former Labour insider and psychotherapist Derek married presenter Kate, 56, in 2005 and they went on to welcome children Darcey 17 and Billy, 14 (pictured in 2021)

Former Labour insider and psychotherapist Derek married presenter Kate, 56, in 2005 and they went on to welcome children Darcey 17 and Billy, 14 (pictured in 2021)

Former Labour insider and psychotherapist Derek married presenter Kate, 56, in 2005 and they went on to welcome children Darcey 17 and Billy, 14 (pictured in 2021)  

Derek had been plagued with health woes after contracting the virus in March 2020, which saw him put in a coma, battle sepsis and left with difficulties communicating (pictured 2019)

Derek had been plagued with health woes after contracting the virus in March 2020, which saw him put in a coma, battle sepsis and left with difficulties communicating (pictured 2019)

Derek had been plagued with health woes after contracting the virus in March 2020, which saw him put in a coma, battle sepsis and left with difficulties communicating (pictured 2019) 

She said his Covid infection had left him with lasting damage to his heart which had led to ‘further complications’.

Kate also thanked the medical teams for making his final moments as ‘comfortable and dignified as possible.’

MailOnline understands Derek passed away on Wednesday night (January 3) in a north London hospital. 

Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story airs on on Tuesday at 9pm and will be available to stream on ITVX. 

A timeline of Derek Draper’s coronavirus battle

MARCH  2020

Kate revealed she and Prince Charles had got ‘relatively close’ at the Prince’s Trust Awards on March 11 – Charles was diagnosed with coronavirus in mid-March.  

She said: ‘Around the 29/30 March, I came home came in and said [to Derek] ‘god you look ill.’

‘He said he had a headache, numbness in his right hand, and was struggling to breathe,

‘I rang Dr Hilary (Jones) and tried to get through, he talked to Derek. He said put me back on, I think you need to call an ambulance’

Derek, 52, was taken into hospital on March 30 and remained in an unresponsive condition. 

APRIL  

Kate and her children isolated at home after she displayed ‘mild symptoms’.

Kate said: ‘Derek remains in intensive care and is still very ill. I’m afraid it remains an excruciatingly worrying time.

‘I’m afraid he is still in a deeply critical condition, but he is still here, which means there is hope.’ 

MAY 

Kate said: ‘The journey for me and my family seems to be far from over as every day my heart sinks as I learn new and devastating ways this virus has more battles for Derek to fight. 

‘But he is still HERE & so there is still hope.’

That month, Kate and her family took part in the final clap for carers

She said: ‘I’ll never give up on that because Derek’s the love of my life but at the same time I have absolute uncertainty’

JUNE 

On June 5, Kate revealed Derek is now free from coronavirus but continues to fight against the damage inflicted on his body

JULY 

On July 5, Kate revealed Derek has woken from his coma but he remains in a serious yet critical condition.

On July 8, she announced she would be returning to GMB, after being urged by doctors to ‘get on with life’ during Derek’s recovery.   

She added that Derek had ‘opened his eyes’ after waking from his coma, but has been told his recovery could take years.  

On July 13, Kate returned to GMB for the first time since Derek was hospitalised.    

On July 28, Kate revealed she’d paid an ‘extra emotional’ first visit to Derek, and admitted she’s ‘frustrated’ by his slow progress.

AUGUST

On August 14, Kate reassured GMB viewers that Derek was ‘still with us,’ but it was ‘a waiting game.’ 

On August 19, Kate revealed she celebrated Derek’s birthday with their two children, and described the day as ‘challenging’ for her family. 

 SEPTEMBER  

At the end of September, Derek reportedly becomes the longest surviving patient with coronavirus after spending 184 days in and out of intensive care.

Kate reveals Derek has lost eight stone during his battle.

The presenter announces she is returning to her Smooth Radio show so Derek can hear her voice. 

OCTOBER

On October 30 Kate reveals that Derek has spoken for the first time in seven months, saying the word ‘pain’ to his wife, who watched on ‘in tears’ over FaceTime. 

Kate says a day later that her husband no longer needs a ventilator to breathe. 

NOVEMBER 

Kate reveals her family car has been stolen in latest ‘body blow’ to her family life, as kind-hearted fans offer their cars to help.

She says she feels ‘physically sick’ at the prospect of facing her first Christmas without Derek.

DECEMBER 

The GMB star tells viewers it is her dream to visit Derek on Christmas Day.

She also reveals she missed two weeks on GMB after her children were exposed to the virus, but thankfully she and the kids tested negative.

On December 17, Kate has an emotional conversation live on GMB with two nurses who treated Derek when he was first admitted to Whittington Hospital in North London. 

On New Year’s Eve she reflects on a ‘calamitous’ Christmas without Derek, as her house was flooded and she struggled to get a food delivery slot until her pal Emma Willis stepped in to help.

JANUARY 2021

Kate reveals she and her children got to visit Derek in hospital over the Christmas period, and it was the first time her family had seen him since he was hospitalised.

She also says she’s banned from seeing him due to new restrictions introduced during the government’s third lockdown. 

FEBRUARY 

Kate reveals she is unsure how much Derek will ‘ever be able to recover’ following warning from doctors that he may never wake from his coma 

MARCH

Kate revealed that was in the process of adapting her home to suit Derek’s needs when he is finally released from hospital, in the ITV documentary Finding Derek.

The programmed was praised by viewers for offering a heartbreaking look at the long-term effects of coronavirus.

Kate also revealed that Derek has ‘no muscle left’ since battling Covid

APRIL

Kate revealed that Derek was finally allowed to leave hospital, but would require round-the-clock care once he was returned home.

MAY

Kate revealed that despite now being home with his family, his communication abilities were ‘minimal’ and he ‘couldn’t really move’

DECEMBER

During an appearance on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories, Kate revealed that Derek had said ‘I love you’ for the first time.

After celebrating Christmas, Derek was also pictured in a wheelchair during a trip to the pantomime with his family

JANUARY 2022

Kate revealed that Derek was ‘very fatigued’ and ‘very weak’ following the family outing, adding: ‘I don’t know what this year is going to bring.’

FEBRUARY

Kate offered a glimpse into the daily struggles of looking after her husband amid his battle with long Covid in the documentary Caring For Derek

She also revealed that Derek would die within three days if he was left alone to care for himself.

JULY

On July 6, Kate revealed that Derek had been re-admitted to hospital after suffering a ‘downturn,’ and in a later interview said she takes things ‘day by day.’

On July 20, it was reported that Kate had pulled out of hosting Good Morning Britain to be at Derek’s bedside after he took a ‘very serious’ turn for the worse. 

Recalling the day, the presenter told The Sun: ‘At one point Derek said to me, “This is it, this time. I am gone.” It was just terrifying.

‘His sepsis was gut-wrenching for all of us because it had gone undiagnosed until the point where it was about to take his life away again.’

JANUARY 2023 

Kate became overwhelmed as she confronted former health secretary Matt Hancock over his handling of the pandemic and his decision to go on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.

She then became tearful and looked up as she spoke about Derek, who has been unwell for approaching three years. 

Describing public anger towards him, Kate added of his decision: ‘This gives the impression you still don’t get why they are cross. You still don’t get why people are upset. They want to hold you to more account.’ 

APRIL 

Kate revealed that Derek was once again receiving care in hospital, as she shared the emotional moment Sir Elton John dedicated a song to the ‘inspiring’ couple. 

She shared the emotional moment Sir Elton John dedicated a song to the ‘inspiring’ couple, writing on Instagram: ‘Yes Derek has been back in hospital this week & yes there’s such a long road ahead but #eltonjohn & @davidfurnish you gave the kids & Derek a moment that we will never forget and has lifted their spirits again to feel anything is possible.’

It was also reported that Kate was planning a trip across the world for pioneering treatment in a ‘final hope’ to help her husband.

MAY

Kate reportedly faced a huge £716,000 tax bill after she was forced to close her husband’s business two years after he became stricken with Covid-19.

The final total will be settled within the coming weeks, with friends insisting she will pay whatever is owed.

A friend told The Sun: ‘The figures are terrifying and Kate is of course worried about all the financial pressures, but she has to trust the process.

‘When it comes to an end, she is determined to pay back anything that’s owed.

‘It’s no secret that Kate has been battling to keep her husband alive and working through some heartbreaking situations in her personal life in recent years.

‘Sadly as well as the emotional stress of Derek’s terrible illnesses the financial burden has also been crippling.’

DECEMBER 

Derek was left fighting for his life after suffering a heart attack. 

Kate held a 24/7 vigil by his bedside and cancelled all work commitments while the family ‘prayed for a miracle’. 

A source said: ‘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.

‘This setback has been a huge blow for his family and all the people caring for him. Kate is by his side 24 hours a day and is willing him on to win this latest battle for his life.

‘Derek has fought so many times, and always, against all odds, come out the other side.’

JANUARY 2024

Kate announced on January 5 that Derek had passed away. 

She said: ‘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. 

‘I have so much more to say, and of course I will do so in due course, but for now I just want to thank all the medical teams who fought so hard to save him and to make his final moments as comfortable and dignified as possible’.

MailOnline understands he passed away on January 3 in a North London  hospital. 

He is survived by wife Kate and their children Darcey, 17, and son William, 14. 

 

 

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