Derek Draper, the former political adviser and author, has tragically passed away at the age of 56, as confirmed by his wife, TV presenter Kate Garraway. Derek Draper had been battling severe complications arising from Covid-19 since contracting the virus in March 2020.
Kate Garraway shared the sad news of her husband’s passing in a heartfelt statement posted on uk/topic/instagram" title="Instagram" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="31735">Instagram. She revealed that Draper had succumbed to the aftermath of a cardiac arrest he suffered in early December. This cardiac arrest, compounded by the lasting damage inflicted by COVID-19 in March 2020, led to further complications that ultimately claimed his life.
In her statement, Kate Garraway expressed her gratitude to the medical teams who tirelessly fought to save her husband and provide him with the most comfortable and dignified final moments possible. She also thanked all those who had generously offered support to her family during these challenging times.
Derek Draper’s battle with the virus garnered significant public attention and support. Notably, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and members of the royal family extended their well-wishes to him.
Draper was diagnosed with COVID-19 in March 2020 and remained in a coma until October of the same year. Despite becoming Covid-free by June 2020, his body had endured extensive damage. After spending over a year in the hospital, Derek Draper returned home in April 2021 under continuous care and treatment.
In July 2022, Garraway revealed that Draper had been readmitted to the hospital, and later that month, his condition deteriorated further. He was hospitalized again in December for additional treatment.
The family’s journey in adapting to their new reality and coping with Derek Draper’s rare condition was documented in the ITV documentary “Finding Derek,” which earned a National Television Award.
As a result of her husband’s passing, Kate Garraway has decided to take an indefinite leave of absence, cancelling all her television and radio commitments.
Derek Draper and Kate Garraway were married in 2005 and had two children together.
Derek Draper, originally from chorley/">Chorley in Lancashire, had a background in politics, serving as a Labour Party lobbyist for almost a decade. However, he left the political arena in 1998 following his involvement in the “Lobbygate” scandal, where he was recorded boasting about his ability to grant access to government ministers. He then pursued a career as a psychotherapist and authored two books, “Blair’s 100 Days” and “Life Support.” In 2009, he founded the LabourList website, an independent news source aligned with the Labour Party.
Prominent political figures, including former Prime Minister Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, have paid tribute to Derek Draper, recognizing him as a kind, generous, and talented individual who played a significant role in the New Labour movement.
The passing of Derek Draper has brought immense sorrow to his family and many others who followed his remarkable journey, leaving a void that will be deeply felt by all who knew him or were touched by his story.
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