Kate Garraway says husband Derek's funeral was an 'out-of-body experience' after son's emotional tribute
24.03.2024 - 12:57
/ ok.co.uk
Kate Garraway has opened up about holding a funeral for her late husband Derek Draper, who died at 56 in January after a devastating three-year battle with COVID.
The Good Morning Britain presenter is telling the story of Derek's life and his various health setbacks in her latest ITV documentary Kate Garraway : Derek's Story. Speaking to The Sunday Times ahead of the documentary airing, Kate described the day of Derek's funeral - and how it didn't feel "real". "I knew that what was said in the church would stay in the church, and wasn’t going to be broadcast or written up.
I just trusted people not to do that,” she said. “But the day felt like an out-of-body experience, like it wasn’t quite real. I got home from the funeral and thought, ‘I can’t wait to tell Derek about this’.
And that’s the maddest thing." The broadcaster went onto say that she has barely begun to grieve his loss and can't find relief in his release from pain. "Of course I am glad he is at peace, but he never said, ‘I can’t do this any more.’ He always said, ‘How am I going to get better?’ So I knew that he would fundamentally be sad to have lost the fight," she said. According to the interview, Sir Elton John played the piano and sang - however, it was Kate and Derek's son Billy, 14, who reduced the congregation to tears.
Meanwhile, ex prime minister Tony Blair gave a speech, having worked with Derek when he worked as a political advisor for the Labour party. Kate announced Derek's passing with a statement on Instagram in January, writing: "I’m sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away. "As some of you may know he has been critically ill following a cardiac arrest in early December which, because of the damage inflicted
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