Thu. Nov 14th, 2024
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KATE Garraway has revealed her husband Derek Draper’s heartbreaking final message – after the couple planned a documentary “in his voice”.

A new film capturing the final year of Derek’s life will air on ITV on March 26.

Kate Garraway and Derek Draper planned a documentary 'in his voice'3

Kate Garraway and Derek Draper planned a documentary ‘in his voice’
Derek died after a four-year health battle

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Derek died after a four-year health battleCredit: ITV
Garraway and the couple's two children at Derek's funeral

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Garraway and the couple’s two children at Derek’s funeralCredit: Dan Charity

The documentary show how Garraway supported Derek through his four-year health battle – and looks back to their early years together.

Speaking today, Garraway revealed Derek’s final message after he asked her to make the film.

Good Morning Britain presenter Garraway said: “I asked Derek, ‘What would be your main message?’

“And he said, ‘Never give up fighting for what you believe in and for the people you love’.

“His words and speech were so limited and there were so many things he wanted to say about the struggle we were all having as a family.

“So we set out to make Derek‘s story together to highlight how he and our family are just one of millions who, every day, have to deal with the challenges of severe disability or life-threatening illness.

“And we wanted to celebrate the incredible work of carers, both professional and those who do it out of love. 

Garraway added: “We had to find a way of allowing Derek’s voice to be heard.

“While having to finish it without him has been so hard, I am delighted that the film is a tribute to Derek and his incredible spirit.

Kate Garraway makes touching tribute to Derek Draper during radio show return as she plays husband’s funeral song

“It’s also a tribute to all of those who fight on to make every second of life count, whatever is thrown at them.”

The presenter also revealed how Derek himself came up with the idea for the film.

She said: “I remember so vividly that the idea of making this third documentary at all came from Derek himself.

“I hadn’t planned to make another one. He’d been released from a four-month spell in hospital for sepsis.

“We were very positive about his recovery. Derek was determined to keep on getting better and improving.

“One day, we were sitting together while I was caring for him.

“He suddenly, from nowhere, asked, ‘Are we making another documentary?’

“I said, ‘Well I hadn’t really planned to. Were you thinking that you would like to?’

“And he said firmly “ yes”. I said, ‘Well, if we do, I think we should work on it together and it should be your story, told in your voice’.

“Derek got very emotional at the idea, because his words and speech were so limited.

“There were so many things he wanted to say about the struggle we
were all having as a family and he wanted to speak up about it.”

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