KATE Garraway is by her husband Derek’s side as he fights for his life after suffering a massive heart attack.
She canceled all television and radio work to stay on call 24 hours a day, taking an indefinite leave of absence to present.
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Kate Garraway’s husband Derek is in hospital after suffering a heart attack. Credit: Rex
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Kate documented Derek’s harrowing health battle since he was first hospitalized with Covid in 2020 Credit: ITV
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Kate and the family are praying for a miracle that Derek can overcome his latest health problem Credit: ITV
The 56-year-old father, who contracted Covid 2020, is bravely battling this latest setback, after falling dangerously ill last Monday.
Friends and family were alerted to his worsening condition. Last night a source said: “Everyone is praying for a miracle.
“Derek suffered a massive heart attack earlier this week which has left him fighting for his life again.
“It was sudden and a shock because he was so well and in great spirits, looking forward to Christmas at home with his family.
“This failure was a huge blow to his family and all the people who care about him.
“Kate is with him 24 hours a day and wants him to win this latest battle for his life.
“Derek has fought so many times, and always, against all odds, he’s come out on the other side.
“Kate was absolutely amazing – by his side as she was a great mum to Darcey and Billy and tried to live up to their expectations of a family Christmas.”
Derek was first rushed to hospital with Covid in March 2020.
After falling into a coma and being put on a ventilator, he spent 13 months in hospital, making him Britain’s longest-serving victim of the coronavirus.
Since then, he has struggled with various health problems. The virus caused inflammation of the brain, kidney failure and damage to the liver and pancreas.
One brain scan last year showed white spots, which are commonly seen in patients with vascular dementia.
He underwent a series of inconclusive lung tests and still has difficulty breathing without assistance.
After returning to the family home in north London, Kate was forced to spend thousands to adapt it for her ailing husband.
She also had to pay for round-the-clock carers and physiotherapists.
Derek — whose days were mostly filled with meetings, trips to the hospital and sleep — was the subject of two critically acclaimed documentaries fronted by Kate.
In them, she was shown to survive on about four hours of sleep, often getting up every two hours at night to help the carer move Derek.
She washes and changes his bedclothes at least seven times a day.
Last February, The Sun revealed the couple had secretly flown to Mexico for the groundbreaking medical trial.
Kate accompanied him on the 16-hour, 11,000-mile journey after being contacted by the world-renowned doctor after seeing ex-doctor Derek’s plight on TV.
He had two more trips to a specialist clinic in a last ditch effort to help him lead a normal life.
After Derek was left unable to speak, Kate also revealed that her husband’s first words were “pain”.
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Kate was presented with an MBE by Prince William earlier this year and Derek watched onCredit: PA
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Derek and Kate’s parents Gordon and Marilyn Garraway visited Windsor Castle to see her receive an MBE Credit: Getty
In June, Kate received an MBE. Derek was at Windsor Castle when Prince William presented her with an award for her services to broadcasting, journalism and charity.
But just days later, Kate revealed that Derek had been rushed to hospital after a lucky break.
Meanwhile, welfare campaigners have backed her after she revealed she was “fighting the system” to get Derek basic care. She was afraid he would lose the support he needed.
In March, Kate described the constant pain Derek suffers.
She said: “Derek is trapped but he is fighting on. Let’s stick to the good days. Every day is a roller coaster. His spirit fluctuates.
“Sometimes he’s laying there, he can’t move, and tears are rolling down his face and it’s heartbreaking. But if it’s hard for us, I can’t imagine how hard it is for him.”
Kate’s spokesperson confirmed: “Derek has been very seriously ill this week.
“He’s a fighter and we’re all praying for him to win this last battle.”
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Kate has put all TV and radio work on hold to support Derek in hospitalCredit: The Sun
Derek’s three-year struggle
MARCH 30, 2020: Derek was rushed to hospital unresponsive due to Covid.
APRIL 24: He was put into an induced coma.
JUNE 5: Kate reveals that Derek is Covid-free, but his body has suffered damage.
JULY 5: He wakes up from a deep coma, but remains “minimally conscious”.
SEPTEMBER 6: Kate then reveals that Derek has lost eight stone and is unable to speak.
SEPTEMBER 29: Becomes the longest Covid patient after spending 184 days in hospital.
OCTOBER 30: He woke up from a coma and spoke for the first time in seven months.
OCTOBER 31: After 214 days in the hospital, he was finally taken off the ventilator.
JANUARY 7, 2021: Kate reveals the kids got to visit Derek for Christmas — the first time since he was in the hospital.
APRIL 9: Derek returns home after more than a year, but needs round-the-clock care.
MAY 4: He can talk more.
DECEMBER 22: Photographed in public for the first time on panto.
FEBRUARY 21, 2022: Kate says they secretly flew to Mexico for a medical.
JULY 6: Derek is rushed back to the hospital.
AUGUST 1: He is in intensive care with “life-threatening” sepsis.
28 JUNE 2023: Sees wife Kate made an MBE.
OCTOBER 8: Kate reveals that Derek is “not feeling well” after the infection.
NOVEMBER 23: In the hospital for treatment for easier movement.
DECEMBER 11: He fell ill and had a heart attack.
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