A new documentary showing the final few months of Kate Garraway's husband - Derek Draper's life is set to air on ITV on Tuesday (March 26).
Draper died at the age of 56 in January after an lengthy battle with long covid.
Garraway, who is a host on ITV's Good Morning Britain (GMB), took a break from her various presenting roles following her husband's death.
She returned to TV screens in February on GMB after more than a month off.
Now she is set to feature, alongside her husband in the new ITV documentary Kate Garraway: Derek's Story which will air on Tuesday (March 26).
Kate Garraway has said the £16,000 monthly cost of her husband Derek Draper's care caused her to rack up huge debts.
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) March 26, 2024
The final year of Derek's life is documented in a new programme on @ITV tonight, in which Draper speaks on camera for the first time, saying: 'I want to be heard' pic.twitter.com/HISE2fWeaj
What to expect in the new Kate Garraway/Derek Draper documentary?
Draper contracted Covid-19 back in March 2020 and for almost four years the political lobbyist battled an exceptionally serious case of long Covid.
He succumbed to the virus in January this year, dying at the age of 56.
Throughout his illness, Garraway has helped document what he husband went through, both by speaking openly about his progress and through two award-winning documentary films: Finding Derek and Caring For Derek.
Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story is set to be the third programme and will join begin in May 2023 as the couple confront the reality of his illness and the impact around him.
It is also set to look at how Draper's story mirrors that of so many others across the UK who are living with serious illness and disability.
Caring for a loved one has huge implications on every aspect of life, including practical complications, financial impact, and the strain placed on a carer’s personal health and wellbeing.
Derek’s Story aims to highlight these often-invisible burdens carried by so many who care for others.
'He felt like a total failure. He felt like an incredible burden.'@kategarraway says her husband Derek felt like 'making this documentary was his way of saying, I'm going to speak up for the people who have supported me.'@ITV pic.twitter.com/fLU3Z01qOg
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) March 26, 2024
In addition to spotlighting the work of the millions of carers who work tirelessly across the country, the documentary will also reflect on Draper’s life before Covid, including his high-profile political career and his relationship with Garraway, from its early years to how it changed with his illness.
Garraway, 56, said she hadn’t planned on making another programme but added Draper was adamant he wanted to continue documenting his illness and its impact.
“I said: ‘Well, if we do, I think we should work on it together and it should be your story, told in your voice’,” she continues.
“Derek got very emotional at the idea, because his words and speech were so limited and there were so many things he wanted to say about the struggle we were all having as a family, and he wanted to speak up about it.
“I asked Derek: ‘What would be your main message?’ And he said: ‘Never give up fighting for what you believe in and for the people you love’.”
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Kate Garraway says it’s been ‘so hard’ finishing Derek Draper documentary
- Who is Derek Draper? The late husband of ITV presenter Kate Garraway
- Kate Garraway joined by family and friends at Derek Draper's funeral
The documentary is set to feature Draper speak on camera for the first time, saying: “I want you to hear my story.”
When is Kate Garraway: Derek's Story on TV?
Kate Garraway: Derek's Story airs on ITV1, ITX and STV on Tuesday, March 26 at 9pm.
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