Kate Garraway returns to work after husband Derek’s ‘life-threatening’ sepsis ordeal

Virgin Radio

1 Aug 2022, 07:54

Good Morning Britain’s Kate Garraway has opened up about the scary experience she had with husband Derek Draper after he was diagnosed with sepsis. 

The telly star returned to the ITV breakfast show on Monday (1st August) after spending three weeks off to care for Derek, who is back in hospital while he continues to fight off the effects of coronavirus two years on. 

Kate rushed out of GMB in early July after Derek fell ill at home, and doctors diagnosed him with a “very severe, life threatening” case of sepsis following on from a kidney infection. 

While speaking to co-host Richard Madeley, Kate revealed: “Unfortunately, his kidneys were really badly infected, blocked, and the challenge now is to save them. 

“[Derek is] still in hospital, not in intensive care, waiting for another procedure, looking really good, so fingers crossed on everything.” 

Kate thanked fans via social media on Sunday night (31st July) for their messages of support, and said things were back on track following the serious medical ordeal. 

Alongside a smiling snap of Kate, Derek and their two children, Kate wrote on Instagram: “Thank you so so much for all your messages of support - they really do mean the world to me & the whole family.

“In the last 3 weeks as Derek’s health took an unexpected & frightening turn for the worse that landed him back in intensive care & fighting for his life - again . Thanks to the amazing nhs teams & his own extraordinary life force & spirit Derek -please 🙏 god - is back on the right side of it now.”

Derek was rushed to hospital in March 2020 with a severe case of Covid and had to be placed in a medically induced coma, which he didn’t wake up from for several months. 

The virus took over his whole body, and despite the odds, Derek was released from hospital in April this year, but is still suffering from the effects of long covid. 

We’re so glad to see Kate back on our screens, and she’ll also return to the helm of Life Stories for a second series soon too. 

Wishing all the best to Derek and Kate.