Derek has died at the age of 56, she has announced, adding she was “by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours”. (Image: PA)

Touching last photo of Derek Draper shows him by wife Kate Garraway's side

Derek has died at the age of 56, she has announced, adding she was “by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours”.

by · Birmingham Live

The last photo of Derek Draper reveals the dedicated husband by wife Kate Garraway’s side as she was made an OBE 6 months ago. Derek has died at the age of 56, she has announced, adding she was “by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours”.

The ITV star added in her message: “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."

In a touching photograph, Derek was last captured next to Kate with her parents Gordon and Marilyn Garraway. The family stood together in June to celebrate the presenter being awarded an MBE at Windsor Castle by Prince William.

READ MORE Snow maps show UK 'surrounded by blizzards' with exact start date announced

Posting on Instagram, Garraway said: “Well what a week, that started with Derek in hospital and ended with Derek in hospital, but with this extraordinary day in the middle. I am so incredibly moved and humbled by the whole experience.

“So many of you have sent so many lovely messages, including the lady who stopped her car a few minutes ago outside our house to say ‘I know what you’re going through, and I know how much that moment meant and I am a nurse’.

“It was so wonderful to see Derek’s determination to be there, so kind of the Prince of Wales, to make it special for him and to recognise the work of Jake our incredible carer, who represents all those who make Derek’s daily life possible, and of course my long-suffering, Mum and Dad!”

Garraway said William made everyone receiving honours “feel as special as they are” and described the ceremony as humbling “to meet all the others much more deserving than myself”. Pictures from the day showed Draper in a blue suit and tie.