Kate Garraway has won praise online after her emotional documentary ‘Finding Derek’.
The film aired on ITV on Tuesday night, and documented her husband Derek’s health battles.
Derek, 53, was hospitalised last March after contracting the coronavirus, but sadly he remains seriously ill.
The former lobbyist has lost eight stone in the past year, suffered liver and pancreas damage, has had kidney failure, and now has holes in his lungs and heart.
Speaking about her husband’s struggles one year on, Kate said: “While in many ways, Derek is showing signs of improvement, his mental state is worryingly unpredictable.”
‘Derek, I miss you!’
Follow Kate Garraway’s emotional journey as her husband Derek recovers from the effects of Covid in a new documentary.
Watch Kate Garraway: Finding Derek Tuesday 9pm @itv. pic.twitter.com/Pio9URJy7d
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) March 18, 2021
In a heartbreaking scene, Derek told his wife over FaceTime: “Kate, there’s no way out. There’s no way out.”
Kate, 53, replied: “There’s not way out in terms of what?”
“I’ve got to the point where I just think f*** it. Just f*** it,” Derek said.
Kate asked: “As in die?” to which Derek responded through tears: “Yes. I don’t know how to cope, I don’t know how to cope.”
Good Morning Britain presenter Kate reassured her husband, saying: “You don’t know how to cope with it. OK. I know you feel like you’re trapped in your head and it’s terrifying. But you’re coming home, you’re coming back to your life and you will be the person, even better than you were before. You will be.”
“I will find a way to make it better. Okay. I promised you that I would save you and I’m gonna save you I will find a way, but you just have to hang in there.”
Taking to Twitter after the documentary aired, viewers hailed Kate “incredible” for her strength during what has been a very difficult year for her family.
Her GMB co-host Ben Shephard tweeted: “So proud of my friend @kategarraway she continues to surprise, delight, occasionally infuriate but always inspire me. Thinking of Kate, her family and anyone who is battling Covid or has lost someone close to them to the virus. #FindingDerek.”
So proud of my friend @kategarraway she continues to surprise, delight, occasionally infuriate but always inspire me. Thinking of Kate, her family and anyone who is battling Covid or has lost someone close to them to the virus. #FindingDerek pic.twitter.com/S8B0ajO9jU
— Ben Shephard (@benshephard) March 23, 2021
Anyone who thinks it’s not right that we can’t go on holiday or can’t go to the pub, needs to watch #FindingDerek to see the horrendous impact this virus is having. Kate Garraway though… what an incredible woman 👏🏼
— Chloe 💙 (@chloecfc8) March 23, 2021
Heartbreaking but such courage, humanity and strength @kategarraway – you are incredible! ❤️ #FindingDerek
— Lorraine (@reallorraine) March 23, 2021
Kate Garraway is the most incredible, inspirational woman. #FindingDerek.
— Showbiz Secrets (@ShowbizSecrets) March 23, 2021
Kate Garraway is just incredible… I am not sure I would be that strong but I guess it is a case of needs must. This family deserves a happy ending #FindingDerek
— LittleMermaid (@Swimstar2000) March 23, 2021
And all people are worried about is a holiday abroad, perspective #FindingDerek
— Steve Gee (@stevegee78) March 23, 2021
What an incredible woman
What a beautiful family
Heartbreaking and inspiring @kategarraway #FindingDerek pic.twitter.com/pEklyfHm4I— Dr Amir Khan GP (@DrAmirKhanGP) March 23, 2021