Kate Garraway has shared a heartfelt thank you to fans for their ongoing support while her husband Derek Draper continues to battle against COVID-19.
The Good Morning Britain presenter, 53, who has regularly kept followers updated with 52-year-old Derek’s progress, told how the messages of support have ‘meant the world’ to her as her husband fights for his life in hospital.
Writing in her latest blog post, Kate said the kind words were ‘comforting’ as she tries to remain strong for her husband and children Darcey, 14, and William, 10.
Thank you: Kate Garraway has shared a heartfelt thank you to fans as they continue to support her while her husband Derek Draper continues to battle against COVID-19
She said: ‘I wanted to send a huge thank you to all of you who have sent me such wonderful messages wishing Derek well. It has meant the world to me.
‘I am sorry I have not been able to reply to them individually, as I am sure you will understand that I am focusing on my family and Derek right now.’
The TV host continued: ‘In quieter moments I am reading all of your messages and they are so comforting and wonderful to read.’
Support: The presenter, 53, who has regularly kept followers updated with 52-year-old Derek’s progress, told how the messages of support have ‘meant the world’ to her as her husband fights for his life in hospital
Last Thursday, Kate updated her supporters to reveal Derek was ‘still with us’ and ‘fighting so hard’ to beat coronavirus.
And the following day, Kate was given hope while her husband battles on in hospital, by fans sharing their stories of recovery from COVID-19 after weeks in ICU.
The GMB presenter thanked a fan for telling her about her own husband’s survival of the deadly bug, following a seven-week stint in intensive care.
Kate shared a clip of herself clapping for carers to Instagram on Thursday night, in support of the NHS.
Hopeful! Last week Kate was given hope that husband Derek will beat coronavirus by fans sharing their stories of recovery from COVID-19 after weeks in ICU
The former I’m A Celeb star received heartwarming messages from fans, taking to her comments section to detail their stories of survival.
One woman commented: ‘Keep the faith Kate. We have my husband back after a 7 week fight in ITU miracles do happen,’ to which Kate replied: ‘So happy to hear that – much love.’
Another follower wrote: ‘You are amazing Kate, you are one of the strongest women ever! I saw on the news there was an 85 year old man who had been in intensive care for 49 days and he went home this week!’ with Kate replying with pink hearts.
Update: Kate updated her supporters last Thursday to reveal her Derek was ‘still with us’ and ‘fighting so hard’ to beat coronavirus (Pictured in December)
Lifting her spirits: The GMB presenter thanked a fan for telling her about her own husband’s survival of the deadly bug, following a seven-week stint in intensive care
Giving her hope: The former I’m A Celeb star received heartwarming messages from fans, taking to her comments section to detail their stories of survival
The video shared by Kate showed of her street once again applauding NHS staff with some even setting off red, white and blue smoke flares in honour of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
In a lengthy caption she updated fans on Derek’s condition, revealing he’s ‘still with us,’ as he continues to battle the virus.
Kate added she’s still ‘awestruck’ by NHS workers working on the frontline to fight the deadly virus, and urged her fans to take inspiration from Captain Tom Moore ahead of the Second World War Anniversary on Friday.
Amazing: Taking to Instagram Kate shared a video of her street once again applauding NHS staff with some even setting off colourful smoke flares in honour of Victory in Europe (VE) Day
Kate wrote: ‘The neighbours turned into ”red arrows” tonight for #clapthecarers #nhs & #keyworkers.
‘Have taken so much comfort & inspiration from the spirit of the country beautifully personified by Captain Tom these past few weeks………and with VE Day tomorrow it’s a reminder of the strength and resilience that we all have within us if we pull together and keep going.
‘Derek is still with us, fighting so hard to beat this virus & everyday I am awestruck by how hard every member of the nhs team is fighting to turn things around & bring him ( & so many others) home to their loved ones.
‘You are amazing – thank you thank you Sending love to you all in these terrible times #staypositive #hope #standtogether.’
Still fighting: The broadcaster praised NHS staff for caring for her husband and the nation during the pandemic alongside the clap for carers video shared to her Instagram
It comes after Kate’s Good Morning Britain co-host Ben Shephard said she is ‘finding comfort’ in talking to her husband every day as he continues to fight COVID-19.
Derek is understood to be in an unresponsive critical condition after being admitted to hospital with the deadly bug.
But devoted Kate is said to be phoning her husband, with whom she raises children Darcey and William on a daily basis while he remains on a ventilator in intensive care.
Care: Devoted Kate is said to be phoning her husband, with whom she raises children Darcey, 14, and William, 10, on a daily basis while he remains on a ventilator in intensive care
Talking to COVID-19 survivor Julie Stanfield, her daughter Gabrielle and the NHS staff who saved her life on Wednesday’s edition of GMB, Ben, 45, admitted his co-host had found a degree of reassurance in calling Derek.
He said: ‘One of our colleagues, Kate Garraway, has said that one of the things that has been really comforting for her is the fact that the staff are taking her phone in the evenings and she can talk to her husband.
‘She has no idea if he’s responding but it certainly gives her a sense of comfort and there is the hope that it is.’