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Kate Garraway's Husband Derek Draper Has Returned Home After A Year In Hospital

Lucy Devine

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| Last updated 

Kate Garraway's Husband Derek Draper Has Returned Home After A Year In Hospital

Featured Image Credit: ITV

Kate Garraway's husband Derek Draper has returned home after spending a year in hospital being treated for coronavirus.

Derek, 53, arrived home on Wednesday evening, where he will be receiving 24-hour care from a special team of carers. The former political advisor was admitted into hospital with Covid-19 last March, before being placed in a coma. The disease left him with kidney failure, damage to his liver and pancreas, as well as heart failure.

Speaking about the incredibly emotional news on Good Morning Britain today, Kate discussed the decision to bring Derek home and how it has been since he arrived. You can watch a clip below:

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It's been an incredibly difficult year for Kate, as well as the couple's two children, Darcey, 15 and Billy, 11.

She said: "Doctors have made it very clear they wouldn't allow him home if there was any risk to his health - I did say, 'I'm not pushing you into something that's not right?' and [the doctor] said, 'Kate, you can't push me' - but it was really looking at his cognition, looking at his consciousness and trying to think about what will be the best way to improve that.

"You saw in the documentary, there have been improvements in autumn, he's using more words, and there are more things that he can do now. He's got some more movement in his hands, he can show emotion.

"But it felt as though everything had stalled medically and if anything was going slightly back. Obviously within the very necessary Covid restrictions that are in place, I couldn't visit, family couldn't visit, even some of the therapeutic things we would want to do to help him move forward couldn't happen, so taking all that into account, they said, 'Right let's give this a go, let's get him home safely.'"

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Derek has returned home after a year in hospital (Credit: PA)
Derek has returned home after a year in hospital (Credit: PA)

Kate also spoke about the kids' reaction to having their dad home, recalling how Derek burst into tears when he arrived, and adding that the kids couldn't stop cuddling him.

"As we pulled up, I was able to come home with him, I could see two little faces of Darcey and Billy looking out of the window and I could literally see them go, 'He's here!' They ran out and opened the door. He immediately burst into tears, there was a lot of hugging and got him inside. He absolutely knew he was home."

The presenter also went on to say she felt emotional laying the table for four, for the first time in over a year, adding that it's been amazing to have Derek home.

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"It's such a silly little thing... and then Billy was like, 'Have we got enough mash?' And I said 'Yes, I don't think Dad's going to be eating so much', he was suddenly remembering Dad's old portions," Kate said.

Kate spoke about Derek's return on Good Morning Britain (Credit: ITV)
Kate spoke about Derek's return on Good Morning Britain (Credit: ITV)

And GMB viewers were in tears over the news, with one writing: "So happy for you and your family @kategarraway was watching with tears of joy."

And one tweeted: "Crying into my tea watching @kategarraway on @GMB so happy for her and the kids that derek is finally home."

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"I wasn't ready for that lovely @kategarraway update. Too many tears for a Friday morning but such a heartwarming story," added another.

And another commented: "Feeling quite emotional right now. I'm beyond happy to hear that Derek is finally home with his family. I know he has a long way to go, but with Kate & the kids by his side I'm sure he will get the. Sending much love."

Derek has returned home to the family (Credit: PA)
Derek has returned home to the family (Credit: PA)

Kate, also 53, recently opened up about the family's struggle in ITV documentary Kate Garraway: Finding Derek.

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In what is an exceptionally emotional time for the couple, Derek can be seen waking up for the first time in the doc, with Kate saying: "He's back. We've been waiting a long time to speak to you. I'm so proud of you. I'm so proud of you."

In one scene of the doc, Kate could also be seen prepping the home ready for Derek returning home, making the property wheelchair friendly, and turning the front room into Derek's bedroom.

We're so pleased for Kate, Derek and all the family.

Topics: Celebrity News, Coronavirus, Health

Lucy Devine
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