Sky News presenter Iain King got choked up and emotional as he announced the tragic news of Derek Draper’s death on Friday afternoon. The host revealed the pair were friends and even attended university together, as he looked visibly emotional while hosting the news bulletin.
Having to break the news about his close pal, Iain began: “We have some breaking news to bring you and I’m afraid it’s terribly sad news. Derek Draper, the husband of TV presenter Kate Garraway, and of course, a well-known figure in British politics for the last 25 years, has died.
“Derek was a sufferer of Covid right from the outset – he was severely affected by that.” At this point, Iain got choked up as he explained how the pair knew each other and the nature of their friendship.
He continued: “It’s awfully sad news and very personal for me because I was at university with Derek more than 30 years ago and I considered him as a great friend. My condolences to the family.”
Good Morning Britain star Kate, 56, announced the sad news of Derek’s death on Instagram today. She told her 1.2 million followers: “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 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.”
The mum-of-two went on to thank the medical teams who attempted to try and save Derek as she concluded her statement.
Derek was rushed to hospital in 2020 after contracting Coronavirus and was put on a ventilator for 214 days.
As a result of the virus, he suffered from brain inflammation, kidney failure, and damage to his liver and pancreas.
More recently, in December, Kate’s husband suffered from a heart attack.
Derek leaves behind his two children, who he shares with Kate, 17-year-old Darcey and 14-year-old Billy.
