Derek Draper, Ex-Political Adviser and Husband of TV Presenter Kate Garraway, Dies at 56
Derek Draper, a former political adviser in the U.K. and the husband of television presenter Kate Garraway, has passed away at the age of 56 after a prolonged battle with Covid-19.
Sam Morgan
- 2024-01-05
- Updated 08:53 AM ET
(NewsNibs) - Derek Draper's lengthy fight with the coronavirus began when he was among the first in the UK to contract the disease in March 2020. He experienced severe health complications from the virus, requiring 13 months of hospitalization. Even after being cleared of the virus, Draper suffered irreversible damage to his internal organs and was dependent on daily care. In recent developments, Draper experienced a heart attack last month and succumbed to his health struggles on Wednesday night in a North London hospital.
A Life in the Public Eye
Before his illness, Derek Draper re-emerged into the public sphere in 2008 as the founder of the political website LabourList. However, his tenure as editor ended in 2009 amid a scandal involving leaked emails with then Labour party member Damian McBride. Draper's career also included his work as a director for lobbying firm GPC Market Access, where he became known for his involvement in the 'lobbygate' scandal, which involved boasting about connections within the government. Prior to navigating the political landscape, Derek Draper worked as a researcher for Peter Mandelson and later retrained as a psychotherapist in the United States.
Personal Tributes and Legacy
The news of Draper's passing prompted tributes from various high-profile figures, including former prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, as well as colleagues and broadcasters. The couple, who were introduced by GMTV political editor Gloria De Piero in 2004, married the following year and have two children. Derek Draper's struggle with Covid-19 was notably documented by his wife in the award-winning program "Finding Derek," which earned Kate Garraway a National Television Award in 2021. Following the announcement of her husband's death on Instagram, Kate Garraway received messages of condolence from notable individuals, such as Sir Elton John, Lorraine Kelly, and Alan Carr.
Derek Draper's life was marked by both political controversy and personal challenges, especially in his final years, amidst the unprecedented global health crisis. His death underscores the lasting impact of Covid-19 on families and brings attention to the long-term effects the virus can have, even after recovery. Draper's tenure in politics, his latter career in psychotherapy, and his family's candid sharing of his health journey have carved a memory that endures beyond his passing.
