Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper has woken from his coma and opened his eyes
KATE Garraway’s husband Derek Draper has woken from his coma and opened his eyes, the Good Morning Britain star revealed tonight.
The 53-year-old presenter explained he was in a “minimum state of consciousness” but remains in intensive care after being hospitalised with coronavirus in March.
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Derek, 52, is still unable to speak, with doctors warning he may stay in his current condition, but Kate said there are signs that he can hear.
She told Hello! magazine: “We’re keeping positive and doing everything we can to bring him round. The children and I communicate with him every day on FaceTime, while a nurse holds his iPad.
“I really believe he can hear. When medical staff say: ‘Good morning, Derek,’ he sometimes opens his eyes. We and the doctors are doing everything we can so that he can start to recover.”
The mother-of-two added that she was preparing to return to her hosting duties on GMB and Smooth Radio after doctors urged her not to put her life on pause.
Kate’s TV co-star Piers Morgan explained last month that Kate’s life has become a “living hell” since her husband was hospitalised with coronavirus.
He explained that the pair had been planning to renew their wedding vows this summer, but added: “Agonisingly, Kate doesn’t even know if she will ever get Derek home again.”
The former political adviser has overcame coronavirus after being put in a coma, but Kate recently told The Sun she had been warned by doctors that he may never fully recover.
Kate also revealed the final words Derek said to her before he was put in a medically-induced coma, telling his wife: “I love you, you saved my life.”
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She posted an emotional tribute to him on Father’s Day last month, writing: “Whatever happens next I’m afraid it IS going to be a long road, with an uncertain end that isn’t even nearly in sight right now.”
Kate added: “After all we are all having to do that aren’t we in one way or another – this ghastly time has affected us all & life deals us blows that we just have to bounce back from & celebrate the good.”
Despite now being coronavirus-free, his wife explained that the illness has “wreaked extraordinary damage” on Derek, who is a former lobbyist and political adviser.
He had no underlying health issues before being struck with the illness.
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