Ben Shephard has been hailed by followers as a ‘fantastic good friend’ who Kate Garraway is ‘fortunate to have’ following the announcement of her husband Derek Draper’s demise yesterday.
Kate and Ben often host Good Morning Britain collectively and are recognized to be good friends off-screen too. Ben has been an enormous help to her all through Derek’s near-four yr battle with the after results of Covid.
As superstar tributes poured in following Kate’s unhappy new on Friday, January 5, Ben was amongst those that paid tribute on social media.
Kate Garraway declares demise of husband Derek
On Friday, Kate introduced that Derek has sadly handed away. Derek had been battling the consequences of Covid since contracting it again in 2020.
Kate uploaded an image of Derek to her Instagram and informed her followers.
“I’m unhappy to must inform you all that my darling husband Derek has handed away. As a few of chances are you’ll know he has been critically ailing following a cardiac arrest in early December which, due to the injury inflicted by Covid in March 2020, led to additional problems,” she wrote.
“Derek was surrounded by his household in his last days and I used to be by his facet holding his hand all through the final lengthy hours and when he handed. I’ve a lot extra to say, and naturally, I’ll achieve this sooner or later, however for now, I simply wish to thank all of the medical groups who fought so exhausting to save lots of him and to make his last moments as snug and dignified as doable.
“Sending a lot love and due to all of you who’ve so generously given our household a lot help. Relaxation gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I used to be so fortunate to have you ever in my life,” she then added.
Ben Shephard pays tribute to Kate Garraway and Derek Draper
Shut colleague and good friend Ben posted on his Instagram account an image of a beaming Kate being kissed on the cheek by Derek earlier than his covid analysis shattered their lives.
“On what has been the saddest of days Kate Garraway, I’ve been reminding myself of the fantastic instances and recollections we now have all shared collectively,” he wrote within the caption.
“That is how I’ll all the time consider Derek – bringing you a lot pleasure, your smile says all of it, the scale of which is matched solely by his love for you, Darcey and Invoice. Sending all our love Kate to you and all of the household.
“Additionally thanks to everybody who has reached out to me, I promise I’ll cross in your messages. I do know they are going to convey Kate a lot consolation as they’ve for the previous few years.”
Ben Shephard hailed ‘fantastic good friend’ to Kate Garraway
Within the feedback part of Ben‘s publish, his followers had been stuffed with reward for the presenter.
“She’s fortunate to have you ever as a good friend,” mentioned one. They added: “She’s going to want her buddies as soon as all this sinks in. Sending a lot like to Kate and her household.”
One other mentioned: “Stunning phrases Ben to match your stunning friendship with Kate and her household. Sending a lot like to you all.”
“What a particular good friend you might be to Kate,” agreed another person.
A fourth wrote: “You’re a fantastic good friend. The household are very fortunate to have you ever of their lives. Sending you like, mild and energy too Ben.”
“I’ve been considering of you all day Ben Shephard, because the information broke. Kate Garraway is a VERY fortunate girl to have you ever as not only a colleague however a finest good friend,” added another.
Tributes from celebrities pour in
Different celebrities and buddies additionally despatched their like to Kate following her devastating information. These included her different GMB co-stars.
“Our complete hearts are with you all,” Susanna Reid wrote. “By your facet all the time,” Richard Arnold added.
Piers Morgan, an in depth good friend of the couple, shared an image of the 2 of them at one among his Christmas events to his Instagram grid. He added the caption: “RIP Derek Draper.
“A brilliantly intelligent and humorous man who fought his Covid well being hell with such braveness and resilience, helped each step of the best way by his magnificent spouse Kate whose loyal, loving, selfless devotion was really astounding.”
Piers then added: “This photograph was taken once they attended my annual Christmas pub occasion in December 2019, simply after Kate received again from doing I’m A Movie star throughout which the nation received to see at first hand what an excellent marriage that they had.
“They talked excitedly that evening about renewing their wedding ceremony vows the next summer season. However simply three months later, Derek received the virus, was rushed to hospital, and their near-4yr nightmare started.
“It is a heartbreaking day for Kate and their two pretty kids Darcey and Billy, and for Derek’s household. My deepest love and condolences to all of them,” he concluded.
ITV points assertion
ITV’s Kevin Lygo, Managing Director Media and Leisure, additionally mentioned in an announcement: “Everybody that has labored with Kate at ITV over the previous few years are desperately saddened to listen to this horrible information.”
He then added: “Our ideas and heartfelt condolences are with Kate and Derek’s household and we’ll proceed to supply our help in any approach we will at this very tough time.”
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