Kate Garraway left ITV viewers in tears last night with her heartbreaking documentary about her husband Derek Draper’s final year of his life.
The Good Morning Britain star, 56, lost her husband in January. Derek Draper died at the age of 56 following his almost four-year battle with Covid-19 and its after-effects.
On Tuesday night (March 26), Derek’s Story aired on ITV. It followed the final year of Derek’s life up until his death.
Kate Garraway documentary
The hour-long documentary started in early 2023 as Derek received round-the-clock care. It saw Derek speak on camera for the first time since his health ordeal began in 2020.
If I have any regrets, it’s every single minute that I didn’t spend holding his hand
Throughout the documentary, there were several heartbreaking moments between Derek and Kate. One moment saw Derek break down and call his efforts “pathetic” as he tried to lift himself up out of his wheelchair.
Kate told him: “It’s okay, it’s okay darling. It’s not pathetic, you’re absolutely trying.”
Towards the end of the documentary, Kate opened up about a “regret” she feels as the cameras joined her in February 2024 – weeks after Derek’s death.
When asked if she had any regrets, Kate said: “If I have any regrets, it’s every single minute that I didn’t spend holding his hand because I had to go and write an email, I had to go and make a phone call, having to fight the system that should be there to catch you when you fall.”
The documentary ended with a clip of Kate hugging Derek as she told him: “I love you so much.”
The camera crew then asked Derek what the most important thing had been to him in the last three years. He simply replied: “Family.”
Derek’s Story reaction
Viewers watching were in tears over the powerful documentary. One person gushed on X: “I’m in floods of tears here.”
Another told Kate: “@kategarraway I am in tears…. The documentary was so emotional I wish I could just give you a massive hug.”
Someone else said: “I’m in tears and only 10 mins in #Dereksstory.”
You can watch Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story on ITVX.
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