[mark]

Given that Mail Online today confected a ‘story’ about Holly Willoughby’s ‘shock return’ to TM (which was simply the repeating of an old interview from the summer) ITV possibly also didn’t want to give the online tabloids anything to generate Kate clickbait (‘Kate Makes First TV Appreance Since Hubby Illness’ etc etc)

I saw a story about Kate making an appearance on Christmas Eve before 'stepping back' to be with Derek, based on her being on the pre-recorded (and the story was open about this) Britain Get Singing show. So it's safe to say the tabloids will jump at any chance to produce clickbait about Kate and her family.

[DeMarkay]

Some very sad news, Kate’s husband Derek has passed away.

www.instagram.com 

Kate Garraway on Instagram: "I’m sad to have to tell you all that my darlin…
7,876 likes, 1,154 comments - kategarraway on January 5, 2024: "I’m …
  Source: www.instagram.com

I'm sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away. As some of you may know he has been critically ill following a cardiac arrest in early December which, because of the damage inflicted by Covid in March 2020, led to further complications.

Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed. I have so much more to say, and of course I will do so in due course, but for now I just want to thank all the medical teams who fought so hard to save him and to make his final moments as comfortable and dignified as possible.

Sending so much love and thanks to all of you who have so generously given our family so much support. Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life.

[Edogawa Ranpo]

Some very sad news, Kate’s husband Derek has passed away.

www.instagram.com 

Oh God, this is a terrible start to 2024 for Kate...
It's such a shame he couldn't win this battle against COVID.
May he rest in peace and my condolences to Kate and her family.

[Alf Stewart]

Genuinely really sad to hear this today. Even though most of us will never have known Derek, it feels like we were all rooting for him.

Thoughts to Kate and her family at this time.

[Johnr]

Hit a personal note for me too as our family have been going through a similar journey to Kate and Derek since Easter 2023, not Covid related but my Dad had a fall whilst out shopping and we just expected him to slowly but surely get back to full health yet 9 months later is now in a care home and physically unable to move about without aid

[JMT1985]

This is very sad news - he really fought as hard as he could after the terrible complications of having Covid, probably one of the early cases of Covid back in March 2020.

I remember Derek well from the political documentaries, especially ones made by Michael Cockerell and Andrew Rawnsley. I remember seeing him during the 1997 and 2001 election campaigns.

I hope Kate and his family can get through this terrible time as best as they can

[Brekkie]

Yes - I've been going through a very similar experience to yourself Johnr and it makes it hit that little bit harder. Clearly alot of love within the ITV daytime team for her and her family with Kaye almost in tears reading her statement on Loose Women.

[Toby brown]

So sad. Rip Derek. So sad for Kate and her family

[jlmiller]

Terribly saddened to hear this news - I followed the story of Derek ever since Kate Garraway first confirmed that he had contracted COVID and was left in awe of how he kept fighting the disease until the very end, with Kate continuing to update on his fight throughout. Goes to show why COVID-19 is such a terrible, terrible disease. My thoughts go out to Kate and her family at this extremely difficult time.

[XIII]

Very sad but he had terrible complications so the news wasn't unexpected.