FINAL WISH
Kate Garraway reveals husband Derek Draper’s heartbreaking final message as couple planned documentary ‘in his voice’
Kate Garraway has revealed what the new film will cover
KATE Garraway has revealed her husband Derek Draper's heartbreaking final message - after the couple planned a documentary "in his voice".
Derek, 56, who became known as the nation's longest-suffering Covid patient, died in January after a four-year ordeal.
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A new film capturing the final year of Derek's life will air on ITV on March 26.
The documentary will show how Kate supported Derek through his four-year health battle - and looks back to their early years together.
Speaking today, Kate revealed Derek's final message after he asked her to make the film.
Never give up fighting for what you believe in and for the people you love
Derek Draper
Good Morning Britain presenter Kate said: "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'.
"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.
"So we set out to make Derek‘s story together to highlight how he and our family are just one of millions who, every day, have to deal with the challenges of severe disability or life-threatening illness.
"And we wanted to celebrate the incredible work of carers, both professional and those who do it out of love."
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Kate said the film is "a way of allowing Derek's voice to be heard" but "finishing without him has been so hard".
Brave Kate Garraway in emotional TV interview following husband Derek Draper's funeral
She said: "I am delighted that the film is a tribute to Derek and his incredible spirit.
"It’s also a tribute to all of those who fight on to make every second of life count, whatever is thrown at them."
The presenter also revealed how Derek came up with the idea for the film.
She said: "I remember so vividly that the idea of making this third documentary at all came from Derek himself.
"I hadn’t planned to make another one. He’d been released from a four-month spell in hospital for sepsis.
"We were very positive about his recovery. Derek was determined to keep on getting better and improving.
"One day, we were sitting together while I was caring for him.
"He suddenly, from nowhere, asked, ‘Are we making another documentary?’
"I said, ‘Well I hadn’t really planned to. Were you thinking that you would like to?’
"And he said firmly “ yes”. I said, 'Well, if we do, I think we should work on it together and it should be your story, told in your voice'.
"Derek got very emotional at the idea, because his words and speech were so limited.
"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."
In March 2020, Derek was rushed to hospital due to a Covid infection, which sparked years of heartbreaking health battles.
After being taken to hospital, Derek spent 214 days on a ventilator, nearly four months in an induced coma and lost eight stone, as well as his ability to speak properly.
After he moved back home in April 2021, Derek required round the clock care and was rushed back to hospital with "life-threatening" sepsis in August the following year.
Following this, Derek was struck down with more ill health.
In December 2023, Kate was by her husband's side once more after he suffered a huge heart attack.
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Sadly, in January, he passed away following his ongoing health battle.
Kate Garraway: Derek's Story airs on Tuesday March 26 at 9pm on ITV1, ITVX and STV.