Ben Shephard updated GMB fans on Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper’s progress as he continues his coronavirus battle.
Speaking on Friday morning, the TV host, 45, gave fans the latest news from his co-star: ‘A lot of you have been asking how Kate, Darcey, and Billy are, and Derek. We can update you because Kate did last night on her Instagram.’
In her post, Kate detailed how she had FaceTimed her comatose husband during the weekly Clap For Carers initiative and gushed that she ‘believed he can hear us’.
Shock: Ben Shephard updated GMB fans on Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper’s progress as he continues his coronavirus battle
Kate FaceTimed her critically-ill husband Derek, who is batting coronavirus, during the 8pm Clap for Carers, as she beamed as she watched children light smoke coloured flares, while talking to her husband, who she believes could hear her.
Derek, 52, is understood to be in an unresponsive critical condition following seven weeks in intensive care after being admitted to hospital with Covid-19.
Kate took to Instagram to share a video of her son Billy, 10, showing a lego version of his family, with Derek taking centre stage on a stand.
The following morning, Ben then read out her post, saying: ‘So our #nhsclap was a little different tonight. We still clapped & cheered as much as ever but I couldn’t film on my phone as had Derek on FaceTime throughout!
Critically-ill: Kate’s husband Derek Draper, 52, remains in a coma as he continues his battle against coronavirus (pictured in December)
‘Of course we can’t KNOW but I believe he can hear us [he’s still in a coma] & thought at least the incredible @nhs team’s looking after him would hear our gratitude…
‘Love to all in these terrible times – the separation from loved ones whatever the reason is so tough.’
After reading the post, Ben then went on: ‘She’s been doing this and a lot of people can share thoughts with their loved ones. The feedback we’ve had from people in comas has been that they can hear things.’
Earlier on Thursday, Kate shared a thank you to fans for their ongoing support.
The presenter, who has regularly kept followers updated with 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.
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.’
Challenges: Kate and Derek have been married for 14 years (pictured in 2010 with their son Billy)
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.
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.’
Thankful: Kate has been sharing the clap for carers on her Instagram every week
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 virus, following a seven-week stint in intensive care.
Derek is best-known for his career as a former lobbyist. During his time as a political adviser he was embroiled in two political scandals – 1998’s Lobbygate and in 2009 a scandal surrounding LabourList, the website he edited.
Touched: Kate Garraway FaceTimed her critically-ill husband Derek Draper, who is batting coronavirus, during the 8pm Clap for Carers on Thursday night
He went on to write two books – Blair’s 100 Days and Life Support – before retraining as a psychotherapist.
Kate and Derek have been married for 14 years, with the former lobbyist cheering his wife on for the duration of her stint on I’m A Celebrity last year, he flew out to Australia with their two children to meet her.
The couple, who wed in September 2005, have previously discussed their union, with Derek admitting that he feared she was ‘a high-maintenance TV bimbo’.
Following her stint on I’m A Celebrity, the couple were planning to renew their vows in the coming months.