Piers Morgan lauds 'astonishingly inspiring' Kate Garraway after Derek Draper's death
Kate Garraway's ex-Good Morning Britain colleague Piers Morgan has penned a loving tribute to her in light of her husband Derek Draper's death.
Draper, who founded political news website LabourList, passed away at the age of 56 last week due to complications connected to a cardiac arrest he suffered in December. Mixed in with this was a long-term battle against the after-effects of coronavirus, which rendered the father-of-two largely uncommunicative and in need of 24/7 care after contracting it in March 2020.
Writing in his 'Uncensored' column for The Sun, Morgan revealed how he'd known both Garraway and her late husband separately before they got together, labelling the latter a "smart, funny, hard-partying" individual who would go on to marry an "equally smart, delightfully warm TV presenter without a ruthless bone in her body".
His initial perception of their romance was unquestionable incompatibility.
"But it soon transpired they were the perfect embodiment of the phrase 'opposites attract.' In fact, I can honestly say I've never met a couple better suited, or who enjoyed a stronger and happier marriage. That's what makes the tragedy which befell them even more heartbreaking," reflected Morgan.
The regularly feuding star, who presents the TalkTV interview format Piers Morgan Uncensored these days, claimed "it's hard to overstate" what Draper and his wife went through over the past few years, with the never-ending "physical and mental torment" being "far worse than people realise and would have destroyed most couples".
Recalling their "hundreds of texts" spread across the duration of Draper's condition, Morgan shared: "At one stage, Kate admitted to me: 'It's a living hell to be honest. I keep saying I can't bear it but then somehow do. It's managing feeling, and holding in the same moment your greatest hope, greatest fear, and total uncertainty about what way it's going to go – all the time. I don't think I've ever loved him more or felt more at risk of losing him. But at least I still have hope which lots of people have had taken away from them.'
"That was typical Kate, always thinking of others before herself, devoid of any self-pity."
He then switched to Garraway's many emotional appearances on Good Morning Britain while Draper was cared for back at home, lauding her tireless professionalism that would manifest itself in unblemished cheeriness and positivity.
"Never once did I see her lose her famous Garraway sense of humour, usually accompanied by a mischievous cackle," wrote Morgan, before praising his good friend for being "an astonishingly inspiring woman" in a nightmarish situation.
On Instagram on 5 January 2024, Garraway announced to the world: "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.
"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. Sending so much love and thanks to all of you who have so generously given our family so much support. Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life."
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Watch:Kate Garraway's message to GMB viewers following the death of her husband Derek Draper
