Piers Morgan has given an update on Kate Garraway’s husband.
The GMB presenter, 55, said that Derek Draper, 52, ‘is fighting for his life’ as he continues to battle coronavirus after 7 weeks in ICU.
Kate’s, 53, husband was taken into hospital on March 30th and is understood to be in an unresponsive critical condition as he remains in a critical care unit.
Update: Piers Morgan, 55, said that Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper, 52, ‘is fighting for his life’ as he continues to battle coronavirus after 7 weeks in ICU
Speaking on talkRADIO, Piers described how he has personally been impacted by COVID-19.
He told Kevin O’Sullivan: ‘I have a cousin whose father died of coronavirus. Had another friend of mine – a TV producer who I’ve worked on foreign assignments – whose mum died in a care home last week.
‘I’ve had Kate Garraway, who’s the Good Morning Britain co-presenter of mine – her husband Derek Draper is fighting for his life as we speak and has been for many weeks in an ICU unit.
Critical: Kate’s husband was taken into hospital on March 30th and and is understood to be in an unresponsive critical condition as he remains in a critical care unit (Pictured in December)
Frightening times: The GMB host said of Kate: ‘her husband Derek Draper is fighting for his life as we speak and has been for many weeks in an ICU unit’
‘So I’ve been personally affected by this, by the sheer volume of friends of mine and family who have been directly impacted in the most horrific manner.
‘So yeah, I do feel a personal attachment to this story. But I think most people, if they have a conscience, should.’
On Friday, another of Kate’s GMB colleagues gave viewers an update on husband’s progress.
Ben Shephard, 45, said: ‘A lot of you have been asking how Kate, Darcey, and Billy are, and Derek. We can update you because Kate did last night on her Instagram.’
Heartbreaking: Kate’s husband Derek remains in a coma as he continues his battle against coronavirus (pictured in December)
Shock: On Friday, Ben Shephard updated GMB fans on Derek’s progress as he continues his coronavirus battle
In her post, Kate detailed how she had FaceTimed her comatose husband during the weekly Clap For Carers initiative and gushed that she ‘believed he can hear us’.
During the video call, Kate beamed as she watched children light smoke coloured flares, while talking to her husband, who she believes could hear her.
Kate took to Instagram to share a video of her son Billy, 10, showing a lego version of his family with Derek taking centre stage on a stand, for his dad to have at his hospital bedside.
The following morning, Ben then read out her post, saying: ‘So our #nhsclap was a little different tonight. We still clapped & cheered as much as ever but I couldn’t film on my phone as had Derek on FaceTime throughout!
Clapping for carers: Kate detailed how she had FaceTimed her comatose husband during the latest weekly Clap For Carers initiative and gushed that she ‘believed he can hear us’
Grateful: The mother-of-two has ensured she’s stepped out with her children to clap for carers every Thursday evening
‘Of course we can’t KNOW but I believe he can hear us [he’s still in a coma] & thought at least the incredible @nhs team’s looking after him would hear our gratitude…
‘Love to all in these terrible times – the separation from loved ones whatever the reason is so tough.’
After reading the post, Ben then went on: ‘She’s been doing this and a lot of people can share thoughts with their loved ones. The feedback we’ve had from people in comas has been that they can hear things.’
Earlier on Thursday, Kate shared a thank you to fans for their ongoing support.
The presenter, who has regularly kept followers updated with Derek’s progress, told how the messages of support have ‘meant the world’ to her as her husband fights for his life in hospital.
Strong: In her latest blog post, Kate said the kind words were ‘comforting’ as she tries to remain strong for her husband and children Darcey, 14, and William, 10 (Pictured in November)
Writing in her latest blog post, Kate said the kind words were ‘comforting’ as she tries to remain strong for her husband and children Darcey, 14, and William, 10.
She said: ‘I wanted to send a huge thank you to all of you who have sent me such wonderful messages wishing Derek well. It has meant the world to me.
‘I am sorry I have not been able to reply to them individually, as I am sure you will understand that I am focusing on my family and Derek right now.’
The TV host continued: ‘In quieter moments I am reading all of your messages and they are so comforting and wonderful to read.’
Kate is said to be phoning her husband, with whom she raises children Darcey and William on a daily basis while he remains on a ventilator in intensive care.