In March 2020, Kate Garraway revealed that her husband, Derek, had been diagnosed with coronavirus, leading him to be hospitalized in critical condition. As the months passed, Derek remained in intensive care, fighting against the damage caused by the virus. Kate and her family faced an uncertain and challenging time as Derek’s condition remained critical. In June, Derek was free from coronavirus but continued to battle the aftermath of the illness. By July, he had woken from his coma but remained in a serious yet critical condition, requiring ongoing care.
As months passed, Kate shared updates on Derek’s slow progress and expressed her frustration at the situation. By September, Derek had become the longest surviving patient with coronavirus after spending 184 days in and out of intensive care. Kate made the decision to return to her radio show so that Derek could hear her voice during his recovery. In October, Derek spoke for the first time in months, providing a glimmer of hope for his recovery. By December, Derek had shown progress, no longer needing a ventilator to breathe, but Kate faced additional challenges, such as her family car being stolen and the prospect of spending Christmas without Derek.
In January 2021, Kate and her children were able to visit Derek in the hospital over the Christmas period, providing much-needed emotional support. However, due to new restrictions, Kate was banned from seeing him as the third lockdown took effect. As months passed, Kate struggled with the uncertainty of Derek’s recovery, unsure of what the future held. In February, she expressed concerns about Derek’s ability to recover fully, as doctors warned he may never wake from his coma.
In March 2022, an ITV documentary titled “Finding Derek” showcased the long-term effects of coronavirus on Derek and his family. Kate revealed that Derek had no muscle left after battling Covid-19. By April, Derek was allowed to leave the hospital but required round-the-clock care at home. Despite being home with his family, Derek’s communication abilities were limited, presenting new challenges for Kate and her family. In December, Kate shared emotional moments, such as Derek saying “I love you” and being pictured at a pantomime with his family.
In January 2023, Kate faced challenges as Derek’s health worsened, leading to his readmission to the hospital. She expressed the struggles of caring for Derek and the uncertainty of his condition in a documentary titled “Caring for Derek.” By July, Derek’s condition took a serious turn, prompting Kate to be by his bedside as he faced new health challenges. In January 2024, Kate announced Derek’s passing, expressing gratitude for the medical teams who had fought to save him. Derek’s passing marked the end of a long and difficult journey for Kate, their children, and their family.
