Derek Draper will be laid to rest today with many famous faces from the worlds of politics and entertainment expected to attend his funeral.
Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway, who announced Derek’s death last month in a heartbreaking statement, and her two children Darcey and William will be supported by friends and loved ones as they say goodbye to the beloved husband and father.
Speaking on Instagram on the day Derek died on January 5th, Kate wrote: “Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life.”
Derek’s funeral today comes almost one month on from the dad-of-two succumbing to a four-year battle to recover from Covid-19. Speaking last month, a source close to Kate claimed the planning of the former political lobbyists funeral was “extremely painful” but everyone was determined to ensure the day “itself will be a joyous celebration of a wonderful man.”
Who is likely to attend Derek Draper’s funeral?
Many of Kate’s Good Morning Britain co-stars are expected to attend the funeral this afternoon to support her and her family. Ben Shephard, Susanna Reid and Ranvir Singh are among the stars supporting Kate.
Her co-host and friend Ben spoke about her “numbness of grief” one week after Derek’s passing on GMB. He said the “clocks have stopped” for the mum-of-two, and said she had moved to the “next stage” of grief.
Ben said: “She said she’s sort of in a strange bubble of her own numbness of grief. Her, Billy and Darcey are hunkering down together. Her amazing mum and dad are just remarkable. She’s got all the right people around her. She wanted everybody to know she will be back as soon as she can.”
Others expected to attend are ITV’s Lorraine Kelly and former GMB presenter Piers Morgan – who has been by Kate’s side over the years.
Who paid tribute to Derek Draper following Kate Garraway’s announcement?
Derek’s death sparked an outpouring of tributes from some pretty big names, including the last two Labour prime ministers. Sir Tony Blair issued a statement saying: “I am so sad to hear the news about Derek. My heart goes out to Kate and their children William and Darcey.
“It is extraordinary and remarkable that Derek survived so long after the ravages of Covid. And that was in large measure due to the love Derek had for his family and they for him. This also says something very special about Derek. He was a tough, sometimes ruthless political operative, a brilliant adviser and someone you always wanted on your side.”
“But underneath that tough exterior, he was a loving, kind, generous and good-natured man you wanted as a friend. He was an important part of the New Labour story, at the centre of things right at the beginning. But most important of all, he was a good colleague and great friend. And we will miss him deeply.”
Gordon Brown, Blair’s successor, described Derek as “multitalented” in a tribute shared on Twitter (X). The Scottish politician wrote: “So sad that after such a brave struggle Derek Draper has lost his life as a result of Covid. I will remember him as brilliant, creative and multitalented, and our thoughts are with Kate, Darcey and Billy. RIP Derek.”
How did Kate Garraway break the news of Derek Draper’s death?
Captioning a picture of her late husband on Instagram on 5th January, Kate was the one to break the news of her husband’s death. Derek’s passing followed the former lobbyist spending his last Christmas in hospital after suffering from a heart attack earlier in the month.
“I’m sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away,” Kate wrote on Instagram last month. “As some of you may know he has been critically ill following a cardiac arrest in early December which, because of the damage inflicted by Covid in March 2020, led to further complications.
“Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed. I have so much more to say, and of course I will do so in due course, but for now I just want to thank all the medical teams who fought so hard to save him and to make his final moments as comfortable and dignified as possible. Sending so much love and thanks to all of you who have so generously given our family so much support. Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life.”
Who was Derek Draper?
Derek, who was born in Chorley, Lancashire, started his political career while studying at the University of Manchester. He provided hospitality for Ken Livingstone, who had missed his train after a Labour Club meeting and needed accommodation for the night.
He officially began his political journey in 1990 as the constituency secretary for Nick Brown. Derek also worked as a researcher for Peter Mandelson, the then MP for Hartlepool. In 1996, he became a director of a lobbying firm called GPC Market Access.
Derek also worked as the Political Editor of the Modern Review and hosted a show on Talk Radio. He wrote a column for the Daily Express and authored two books, Blair’s 100 Days and Life Support. After leaving politics, Derek retrained as a psychotherapist, earning an MA in clinical psychology.
Kate and Derek tied the knot in 2005 and went on to welcome two children into the world together, daughter Darcey and son Billy.
