Ben Shephard has revealed he has ‘very ill’ family members as he sent his love to Kate Garraway and her family, as her husband Derek Draper battles coronavirus.
The Good Morning Britain presenter, 45, became emotional on Thursday’s episode of the show after Kate told followers Derek was still in ‘deeply critical condition’ in intensive care.
Ben, who was presenting alongside Ranvir Singh, said: ‘Any of you are asking about Kate Garraway’s husband Derek because many of you know he is in hospital, well Kate posted this on Instagram.’
Heartbreak: Ben Shephard has revealed he has ‘very ill’ family members as he sent his love to Kate Garraway and her family, as her husband Derek Draper battles coronavirus
Fighting: The Good Morning Britain presenter, 45, became emotional on Thursday’s episode of the show after Kate told followers Derek was still in ‘deeply critical condition’ in intensive care (the couple pictured in December 2019)
Reading Kate’s heartbreaking message where she thanked the NHS staff members for ‘keeping her husband alive’ Ben said: ‘So we are sending all our love and thoughts to Kate, Darcey and Billy and of course Derek. We’re keeping our fingers crossed.
‘And to all of you out there that are going through something like that. It is heartbreaking, I’ve got family members that are very ill at the moment as well, and people that I know and friends that have lost friends and family.
The supportive message came hours after Kate, 52, took to Instagram to update fans on her husband’s health as she joined the nation in clapping for NHS staff.
Kate went onto praise NHS workers for ‘keeping her husband alive’ during the pandemic, and also thanked her neighbours for their own kind gestures, which included delivering meals for her family.
He said: ‘And to all of you out there that are going through something like that. It is heartbreaking, I’ve got family members that are very ill at the moment as well, and people that I know and friends that have lost friends and family’
There for you: Reading Kate’s message where she thanked the NHS staff members for ‘keeping her husband alive’ Ben said: ‘So we are sending all our love and thoughts to Kate, Darcey and Billy and of course Derek. We’re keeping our fingers crossed (pictured in January 2019)
Kate took to Instagram to share a video of the fireworks set off by her neighbours in honour of NHS staff, as the nation came together once again to ‘Clap For Carers.’
The star – who has daughter Darcey, 14, and son William, 10 – explained her husband was still battling the deadly virus COVID-19, and also praised neighbours for their own offers of help.
She wrote: ‘From the bottom of my heart a billion thank yous to the extraordinary #nhsworkers whose skills, dedication and downright guts in the face of so much personal risk, are keeping my Derek alive, just as they are doing for thousands of covid patients.
‘I’m afraid he is still in a deeply critical condition, but he is still here, which means there is hope. Sending so much love and support to the thousands who have had that hope for their loved ones stolen by this hideous disease.
Hard times: Good Morning Britain presenter Kate, 52, took to Instagram to update fans on her husband’s health as she joined the nation in clapping for NHS staff on Thursday
‘You are not alone and I hope that helps give you strength to withstand the torture of grief.
‘Thank you, too, to my own little band of ‘key workers’, the neighbours who let off fireworks tonight for the #nhs, gave the Easter bunny a helping hand to make life feel a bit more normal for Darcey & Billy, those who have dropped off food, and friends family and all of you who have sent messages of love and support. It’s such a comfort.’
Kate then affirmed that the nation must remain united to make it through the devastating pandemic, saying: ‘We must all stand together.’
Last week a spokesperson for Kate confirmed to MailOnline that Derek had been rushed to intensive care after contracting coronavirus.
Important: In her post Kate shared a video of fireworks set off by her neighbours during the applause for NHS staff, as she praised them for their own offers of help during the crisis
They told MailOnline: ‘Kate’s husband, Derek Draper, has been taken to hospital and is being treated in intensive care with a confirmed case of COVID-19. He was admitted on Monday and has since tested positive for the virus.
‘Kate, hasn’t been tested, however she has also been displaying mild symptoms, also since Monday, and as a result has been on strict isolation with her children at home.’
On last Friday’s Good Morning Britain,Ben read out a message from Kate on her husband’s condition, saying it continued to be an ‘excruciatingly worrying time,’ as he battled the ‘horrific’ virus.
It said: ‘Derek remains in intensive care and is still very ill. I’m afraid it remains an excruciatingly worrying time.
‘The NHS team that have been working on him have been extraordinary and I know its only their professionalism, dedication and bravery that has kept Derek with us so far. I also know that they are working just as hard on all the patients in their care.
Worrying: Last week a spokesperson for Kate confirmed to MailOnline that Derek had been admitted to hospital after contracting COVID-19 (pictured December 2019)
‘It’s hard to find the right words because thank you alone just doesn’t seem enough but I do thank them with all my heart as I know Derek would if he could.
‘I would like to thank everyone who has sent messages of support. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to respond to them, but I’m sure you’ll understand I’m doing everything I can to focus on Derek right now.
‘However in quieter moments I’m seeing them and they are so comforting and wonderful to read.
‘I’m very aware I’m not the only one going through this torture, there are thousands of families everywhere are worried about their loved ones and hundreds more every day too that are having to deal with the worst news that their loved ones have been taken by this horrific virus.
‘I want to send a message of love and support to all of you going through this you are not alone we must all stand together and support one another and I’m praying to be able to talk with you with some positive news shortly. Lots of love, Kate.’
On Thursday the number of UK deaths of coronavirus rose by 861 to 13,729, as foreign secretary Dominic Raab confirmed lockdown measures would continue for ‘at least three more weeks.’
Brave: The mother-of-two previously said she was suffering from ‘mild symptoms,’ but had not been tested for COVID-19, and was isolating at home (pictured with Derek in December 2019)