Kate Garraway gives emotional and positive update over husband Derek in LBC interview: "There is hope"

8 July 2020, 11:09 | Updated: 8 July 2020, 11:13

"There is hope": Kate Garraway reveals positivity over husband Derek

Smooth's Kate Garraway has spoken about her "hope" for husband Derek Draper, as he continues his recovery from coronavirus in hospital.

Kate gave a lengthy and emotional interview on Smooth's sister station LBC, speaking to James O'Brien about Derek's condition and how it has been for her family.

Over the weekend, Kate revealed that Derek had started opening his eyes, and is now in a minimal state of consciousness after being put in an induced coma in April.

Kate said "there is hope" that her husband can recover, and that she will remain positive for her husband as he remains seriously ill after waking from a coma, which was induced over 100 days ago.

She said life is about "living and laughing" and that she had been "totally focussing on the moment" to help her make it through after being "gripped with fear" due to the seriousness of her husband's illness.

Kate also praised the amazing work of the NHS team who kept him alive after he opened his eyes for the first time.

"Even when I called the ambulance, I tidied up the hall - it was only when the ambulance arrived I thought, gosh I can't believe I'm disturbing the ambulance.

Read more: Elton John offers support to Kate Garraway amid husband Derek Draper's health battle

"They came and did blood tests and said we need to go to hospital now. Even for the first week or so it all looked relatively positive even though we were worried out of our wits.

"It suddenly went wham and they said we need to put him in a coma now." She said the situation deteriorated overnight to a point where Derek was "hanging by a thread."

"What we've all learnt is that this isn't just a lung disease, it's a virus that affects every cell in the body.

"They say he's the sickest person they've ever treated, because of the way it's affected him. He's clear of covid but he's dealing with the damage."

Kate said before he went into his coma he had left a note saying "this is going to be our year" - she found it when she had packed a suitcase for him.

Kate Garraway reveals touching note her husband left for her

She also revealed Derek told her to try and persuade medics to put him into a coma because of the difficulty he was having with breathing.

She said Derek's family were "in bits" and it was particularly hard for them as they have been unable to visit him.

Earlier today (July 8), Kate also returned to ITV's Good Morning Britain, and revealed how celebrities including Sir Elton John and David Beckham had given her support in recent times.

"Elton John contacted me. He got in touch, he said, ‘Hi Kate, It’s Elton’. I was like, ‘Elton…’," Kate said.

"He was like, ‘What can I do to help?’ He said, ‘I’m on board’. He’s incredible. I put the phone down, and I’m like, ‘That was Elton John…’ I said, ‘I think he’s going to help!’” 

Everyone at Smooth is thinking of Derek, Kate, Darcey and Billy, and continue to wish for Derek's recovery.