I HELD HIS HAND

For nearly four years, his battle was hers too.

- MARK JEFFERIES

Kate Garraway's busy life as a high-profile TV and radio presenter took a back seat in March 2020 when her beloved husband, Derek Draper, became seriously ill with Covid-19.

Throughout the ordeal of organ failure, a year in hospital, a slow recovery with numerous complications and a heart attack in December, she was by his side.

So it is fitting that, when the end came on Wednesday night, she was right there with him, holding his hand through "the last long hours".

Derek, 56, never recovered from his heart attack and died in hospital, surrounded by loving family and friends.

Good Morning Britain host Kate, also 56, told followers: "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."