Kate Garraway was out shopping in a Christmas hat just days before her husband Derek Draper died aged 56.
Her spouse had been ‘fighting for his life’ after suffering a ‘huge heart attack’, while the Good Morning Britain star – who was ‘heartbroken’ over his condition, remained by his side.
Derek, who was hospitalised in March 2020 with Covid-19 and went on to become the longest-suffering coronavirus victim in Britain, has been battling health issues ever since.
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On Friday morning, Kate confirmed the tragic news in a heartbreaking Instagram post, revealing he ‘was surrounded by his family in his final days’, while she remained ‘by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed’.
Last week, Kate was seen shopping at a supermarket wearing a Santa Claus hat and a matching red coat.
It appears to be the first time that the TV star had been seen publicly since her husband’s latest health struggles, as she carried multiple Tesco carrier bags out of the store.
Kate and Derek got married in 2005 and shared two children together: Darcey, 17, and Billy, 14.
Before Christmas, it was reported that the TV presenter – who has fronted two acclaimed documentaries about her husband’s health ordeals and treatment – was trying to manage her children’s expectations of the festive period.
‘This setback has been a huge blow for his family and all the people caring for him,’ a source told The Sun after Derek’s heart attack.
‘Kate has been utterly incredible – by his side while being an amazing mum to Darcey and Billy, and trying to manage their expectations of a family Christmas.’
Following the news of Derek’s heart attack before Christmas, Kate received a wave of support from her friends, fans and colleagues.
Addressing Kate’s absence from GMB, Charlotte Hawkins told viewers of the ITV programme: ‘We wanted to start with an update. You have seen that Derek, Kate’s husband, is sadly very poorly at the moment.
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‘We want to let Derek, Kate and the whole family know we are thinking of them, and that we’re sending them our very best wishes.’
Richard Madeley added: ‘It is a very difficult time.’
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Susanna Reid also tweeted: ‘Sending all my love and strength to @kategarraway and Derek. Two of the strongest people I know.’
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