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Kate Garraway stunned as solider calls her an ‘incredible woman’ amid husband Derek Draper’s ongoing Covid-19 battle

Soldier pays tribute to Kate Garraway

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Kate Garraway was left lost for words as a soldier called her a ‘incredible woman’ amid her husband’s ongoing battle with Covid-19.

The presenter’s husband Derek Draper was in hospital for over a year fighting off the effects of the virus. The 53-year-old is now back at home with his family but is still unable to fully speak.

Kate, 53, documented her family’s difficult year in both an ITV documentary and a new book called The Power of Hope, and found she has a reader in Sergeant Brian Wood when he appeared on Good Morning Britain.

Wood is the real life soldier at the centre of the BBC drama Danny Boy, which follows an inquiry into accusations of prisoner mistreatment by the British Army in Iraq.

On Friday’s show, Kate was surprised when he revealed he had followed her journey over the last year and would ‘definitely’ be buying her book.

Speaking about his new business venture in the interview, Wood said: ‘Kate epitomises “Keep Attacking”. Keep attacking has a very subliminal meaning. It is one that is very unique to the individual.

Kate Garraway
Kate was visibly moved by Sergeant Wood’s words (Picture: ITV)

‘So if you wanna be the best in your arena, whether it be sport, business, then you’ve got to go an earn that. If you’re going through some challenging times, you have to show up each day. You have to take that step forward and attack the day the best you can.

‘We launched it from what we had gone through to try and inspire others to grow and stay positive and look forward. And you know what, it went supersonic.

‘We all go through it and as I said what an ambassador Kate is.’

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by James Gourley/ITV/REX (10495119m) Derek Draper and Kate Garraway 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!' TV Show, Kate Garraway at the Versace Hotel, Series 19, Australia - 08 Dec 2019
Derek was hospitalised for a year with the virus (Picture: James Gourley/ITV/REX)

A stunned Kate said: ‘Wow, I don’t know about that.’

‘Absolutely’ he continued, ‘and I will certainly be buying your book because you’re an incredible woman.’

‘Oh that’s so kind of you, my goodness. Thank you so much indeed,’ Kate said.

‘Everything you’ve said I think will inspire so many people. Keep attacking.’

Derek contracted coronavirus in late March 2020 and was later placed into an induced coma, as the virus attacked his lungs, heart, kidneys, liver and pancreas.

Doctors said that Derek had the worst Covid infection of any surviving patient and he had one of the longest hospitalisations for Covid in the United Kingdom.

The family home has been adapted for Derek’s hospital bed, wheelchair and wet room, and he will still receive round the clock care.

The Power of Hope is out now.

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.

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