Kate Garraway has spoken emotionally about her daughter Darcey's final words to her father Derek Draper, who died in January after a long battle with long Covid. Appearing via video link on Monday's Good Morning Britain, the 56-year-old presenter shared how Darcey told her father: 'Dad if you can't do this we'll be ok. You release yourself if you need to go, don't worry about us.'
Garraway described the moment as 'extraordinarily brave' and said she had similar conversations with Derek, holding his hand and telling him they were 'here all the way through'. She also revealed that Darcey insisted on being one of the pallbearers at his funeral, despite the physical challenge. 'She said, 'I want to do it'. She insisted on doing it and I thought that was a beautiful thing,' Garraway said.
During the eulogy, Darcey wrote that Derek could stop worrying about them, adding: 'Don't worry about us, don't worry about mum. We'll be fine because you live on through us.' Garraway praised her children, saying they were 'so beautiful' in their support.
Viewers praised Garraway's appearance, with many taking to social media to express their admiration. One wrote: 'Kate Garraway, you are truly an inspirational woman, Mum, Wife and carer.' Another said: 'Darcey and Billy are a credit to the upbringing Kate and Derek have given them.'
Derek Draper died on January 5 at the age of 56, after contracting Covid in March 2020 which led to long-term health complications. His funeral was held on Friday at the Church of St Mary The Virgin in Primrose Hill, where the couple married in 2005. Notable attendees included Elton John, Piers Morgan, Sir Keir Starmer and Tony Blair.
