is to take a leave of absence from her presenting roles following, former political adviser , aged 56.
The and Smooth Radio presenter, 56, announced on Friday January 1 after suffering long-lasting symptoms from .
In a statement on Instagram, Garraway said: ‘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.’
Kate will be taking a break from her TV and radio presenting roles for the time being but she plans to return to work in the future, reports PA.
Send Kate Garraway and her children your support after Derek Draper’s death
The author and former political advisor was hospitalised last month after suffering a ‘huge heart attack’, and has been requiring full-time care since contracting Covid in 2020.
The star took leave from Good Morning Britain back in December following Draper’s heart attack in order to take care of her husband.
Draper was and required full-time care since contracting in 2020, which
Now, in the wake of his death Kate isn’t planning on rushing back to her presenting slot, which was filled by Ranvir Singh in December as she cancelled all work commitments to be by Draper’s side.
The broadcaster also had a Smooth Radio weekday mid-morning slot from 10am to 1pm which she will also be taking a break from.
Instead, Kate will likely spending time with who she shared with her late husband, as they come to terms with their loss.
Kate and Draper married in September 2005, having .
Darcey and Billy both appeared in Kate’s very personal documentary Finding Derek, which was originally broadcast a year after Derek first contracted Covid.
The chronicled the challenges they faced after the former lobbyist, psychologist and author suffered long-lasting damage to his organs and required daily care.
In the documentary, Darcey said of her dad: ‘I’ve never thought the worst. I’ve always thought he’s going to get better … but we really don’t know at all.’
‘I built a [Lego house] by myself,’ said Billy as he recalled how he and Draper used to play together – his dad was ‘very much’ like a ‘big kid’.
Billy added: ‘I really want him back but I don’t know if he’s going to get better or not.’
