Kate Garraway's co-star says Derek Draper 'is not in a good way' after suffering a heart attack

Garraway's Smooth Radio colleague Jenni Falconer gave listeners a worrying update on Draper on Tuesday
Lisa McLoughlin 19 December 2023
The Weekender

Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for exclusive competitions, offers and theatre ticket deals

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Kate Garraway's husband Derek Draper "'isn't in a good way" after suffering a heart attack, the broadcaster's colleague has shared.

The GMB host, 56, has cancelled all of her work commitments in the run up to Christmas to be with her husband, also 56, following a major downturn in his health.

In the wake of Draper's health battle, Garraway's Smooth Radio colleague Jenni Falconer issued a worrying update to listeners on Tuesday morning as she shared her well wishes on the air.

Falconer said: “On behalf of everyone here at Smooth we're sending lots of love and Smooth best wishes to our very own Kate Garraway.

“Kate's husband Derek as we all know has been struggling with long-lasting damage since he suffered from covid and it doesn't look good at the moment. it doesn't look like he’s in a good way.

“So we're sending lots of love to Kate, Derek and the family… especially at this time of the year.”

Smooth Radio Breakfast host Jenni Falconer shared an update on Tuesday
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Draper, a former political adviser, contracted Covid in 2020 and has struggled with his health ever since. Covid left him with long-lasting damage to his organs and needing daily care.

He reportedly suffered a major heart attack last Monday and is now dangerously ill in hospital.

A source said: “Derek suffered a massive heart attack which has left him fighting for his life all over again. It was sudden and a shock as he had been doing well and was in great spirits, looking forward to Christmas at home with the family.

“We just hope there will be some more positive news soon as he has been in such a long and tough battle with his health. Kate's only focus right now is Derek and her family.”

The couple, who married in 2005, have two children together - daughter Darcy, 17, and son Billy, 14.

On Monday, Garraway’s Good Morning Britain co-stars sent the family their love.

Presenting ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Monday, Charlotte Hawkins said: “We wanted to start with an update. You may have seen in the news over the weekend that Derek, Kate’s husband, is sadly in a very serious condition at the moment.”

Co-host Richard Madeley said: “We just want to let Derek, Kate and of course the whole family know we are all here thinking of them, and we know many of you are as well, and that all of us send them our very, very best wishes at what is a very, very difficult time.”

Hawkins continued: “It is indeed. Lots of love from all of us.”

Garraway has made documentaries detailing her family’s life as Draper battles the long-term effects of coronavirus.

He has been in and out of hospital but was at her side in June when she collected her MBE for her services to broadcasting, journalism and charity from the Prince of Wales at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in