Derek is phenomenally fatigued and very weak, we don’t know what the New Year will bring, admits Kate Garraway

KATE Garraway has told how her husband Derek Draper is “phenomenally fatigued and very weak” in the latest update on his Covid battle.

The TV presenter – who was given an MBE in the New Year honours – admits “we don’t know what the New Year will bring” after the 54-year-old faced time in and out of hospital.

Kate’s fans were thrilled when wheelchair-bound Derek was pictured outside for the first time since being hospitalised with coronavirus in March 2020.

He went on a family trip to the panto before Christmas – but has suffered ever since.

Kate, 54, told Good Morning Britain today: “He’s doing alright. He is phenomenally fatigued and very weak.

“The trip to the panto… he wasn’t out of bed afterwards but I thought it was worth it and I know he did too.

“He was able to hold hands with the children doing something normal, but it has taken it out of him.

“We don’t know what the New Year will bring. 

“The speech isn’t there, but you can see he’s aware something special is happening.

“The morning of the panto I asked ‘you’re incredibly tired are you sure you still want to go?’ and he said ‘yes, yes’.”

Kate appeared on GMB to react to the news she’s set to awarded an MBE for her services to broadcasting, journalism and charity.

Host Susanna Reid curtsied to humble Kate before she explained: “I actually feel very awkward about it.

“I don’t know why because I’m thrilled to bits and incredibly honoured. You think ‘why me?'”

She also revealed she has suffered cruel trolling after being named in the honours list.

Kate said: “There have been a few comments from people saying I shouldn’t have got it for looking after Derek.

“I’ve got it for broadcasting and charity work but there are lots of other people who deserve it.

“Hopefully I have helped people highlight some of the problems ongoing.”

In September 2021 Kate won the authored documentary prize at the National Television Awards for her hard-hitting documentary Finding Derek.

The programme charted her family’s struggle to get her husband home from hospital after he became seriously ill with Covid-19 in March 2020.

Though Derek, a former political adviser, is now free of the virus, he has sustained long-lasting damage to his organs and his recovery is ongoing.