She returned to screens for the first time on GMB since co-star and friend Kate announced the sad death of her husband

Susanna Reid was left fighting back tears as she returned to screens for the first time on Good Morning Britain since co-star and friend Kate Garraway announced the sad death of her husband. Kate confirmed on Friday (January 5) that Derek Draper had died, aged 56.

She explained how her husband had become critically ill after he suffered a cardiac arrest earlier in December and said, “because of the damage inflicted by Covid in March 2020, led to further complications.”

Derek was a former Labour lobbyist-turned-psychotherapist. and became ill with the virus at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. He was taken to hospital where he was put in an induced coma. He spent just over a year in hospital before returning home to Kate and their children – Darcy and Billy – in April 2021.

He needed round-the-clock care ever since due to the damaging effects the virus had on his body, which Kate said had affected him ‘from the top of his head to the tips of his toes’.

Appearing on Monday’s (January 8) Good Morning Britain Susanna and co-host Richard Madeley discussed Derek’s death as they paid tribute alongside a number of their co-stars. Kate had also sent an email message to be shared with viewers which was recorded as a taped audio segment by Susanna.

A montage of sweet pics of Kate, Derek and their children accompanied the recording in which Kate thanked fans for the “wonderful messages” she and her children had received and told how it was brining “extraordinary comfort” at their time of grief. She continued: “I am certain that it is the support you have given me and sent to Derek that has sustained us through these tough nearly 4 years, motivating us to fight on for each other and for those that can’t fight for themselves.

“And it will sustain us to continue that fight in the weeks and months and years to come. I look forward to waking up with you very soon again on GMB to celebrate life in all its wonder and challenge again.

I hope you forgive me for taking some time to be at home. My family is so grateful we could be with our dearest Derek in his final moments, something not all get to share. Maybe you too are going through grief yourself, or have done in the past. I send love and support to you too.

“We are taking time to heal ourselves, now that Darcey and Billy know their Daddy is at peace and free from pain and struggle. I shall be thinking of you all until we are reunited very soon. In the meantime, hug your loved ones close – all my love, Kate.”

Susanna then appeared tearful as the cameras returned to the studio. She said: “It’s absolute classic Kate that in a circumstance that is so deeply painful for her and her family, she thinks of absolutely everybody else who might be in the same situation.

“Kate’s unwavering devotion to Derek and her determination to help him recover from the devastating consequences of Covid has imprinted itself on everyone who knows her and also the whole nation. From the royal family to the country’s political leaders. From those who work in medicine to those who work in showbiz. And to so many of you watching at home.”