Kate Garraway in tears as dad chokes up praising her strength in caring for husband Derek Draper as he recovers from Covid

Kate Garraway cried as she listened to her dad speak about her strength (Picture: ITV)

Kate Garraway was reduced to tears after hearing her dad celebrate her strength amid her husband Derek Draper’s Covid battle on tonight’s episode of Piers Morgan’s Life Stories.

Derek was taken to hospital in March 2020 after contracting Covid. He was then placed in a medically induced coma to give his body time to recover from the virus but did not wake up until several months later with his body severely ravaged from the disease. 

He was released from hospital in April allowing him to continue recovery at home with Kate and their two children Billy and Darcey. 

Kate’s dad Gordon expressed his awe of his daughter’s resilience throughout Derek’s illness.

‘[You are] always so strong, whatever you’re facing,’ he said as he started to choke up.

‘You amaze us all the time with the way that you show your strength. You’re not going to be defeated. I think this is an inspiration for everybody.’

Kate’s dad Gordon is ‘amazed’ by Kate’s strength (Picture: ITV)

Kate was in bits as she listened to him. ‘Well, that’s really done it for me, dad,’ she replied. ‘Oh my God I never see my dad so emotional as well. Sorry dad.’

Viewers were also in bits as they watched the emotional scenes and they flooded Twitter to applaud Kate.

‘A wonderful tribute to Kate ending the run of Life Stories with this interview,’ wrote one. ‘There can’t be a dry eye in the house. Too close to home. The country is rooting for you Kate.’

Kate’s husband Derek Draper has been ravaged by Covid (Picture: ITV)

‘The tears flowed tonight watching @piersmorgan Life stories,’ added another. ‘I’ve never known a person who is so strong, wishing @kategarraway & Derek love & strength.., always.’

The presenter shared an update on Derek’s health at the beginning of the interview.

‘Covid has devastated him, from the top of his head to the tip of his toe,’ she shared.

‘His digestive system, his liver, his heart, his nervous system. We’re pretty sure the inflammation did pass through his brain. Fundamentally he is in a terrible state, but look: he’s alive.’ 

Kate was Piers’ final Life Stories interview as he bows out of the ITV series having recorded 103 episodes with the likes of Dame Barbara Windsor, Sir Rod Stewart, and Dame Joan Collins. 

More: Piers Morgan

It was announced that Kate will replace Piers as the host of three new episodes of Life Stories on ITV as part of the channel’s winter line-up. 

Piers Morgan’s Life Stories with Kate Garraway is available to stream on ITV Hub.

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