Derek Draper’s funeral is being held at present, Friday, on the church the place he married Kate Garraway almost 20 years in the past.
The previous lobbyist died on the age of 56 on January 3, Good Morning Britain presenter Garraway introduced.
Draper had spent Christmas and New Yr in hospital after struggling a coronary heart assault, with Garraway and their two kids by his aspect, following years of well being woes after first contracting Covid-19 in March 2020.
Garraway, who has taken a step again from her duties and remained out of the highlight since, has now been joined by buddies and family members for Draper’s funeral.
The likes of Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard have been pictured making their solution to St Mary the Virgin Church in London.
It’s the identical Primrose Hill church the place Draper and Garraway married on 10 September 2005, only a 12 months after they began courting.
The creator and former political advisor was hospitalised final month after struggling a ‘large coronary heart assault’, and has been requiring full-time care since contracting Covid in 2020.
At their marriage ceremony, the likes of Fiona Phillips and her husband and This Morning boss Martin Frizell and Kay Burley have been in attendance.
Good Morning Britain stars Ben and Richard Arnold have been additionally seen on the star-studded celebration.
After the ceremony, it’s mentioned they walked down the aisle collectively as a buddy performed Aerosmith’s I Don’t Wanna Miss A Factor on the piano.
Additionally attending was Strictly Come Dancing star Brendan Cole, who was a shock to Garraway, years earlier than she took half within the BBC One competitors.
She later advised The Occasions: ‘Hilariously, Brendan Cole was on the marriage ceremony, years earlier than I did Strictly Come Dancing.
‘I assumed he was somebody’s boyfriend, however Derek had secretly been having dancing classes with him.
‘Derek is like that: when he needs to be taught one thing, he research it till he can do it completely.’
Garraway wore a Caroline Castigliano marriage ceremony gown for the ceremony and London reception, which was considered adopted by one other reception in Chorley.
She shared some unseen footage of their big day in documentary Discovering Derek, which noticed his well being battles and the household’s private journey.
After Garraway’s stint on I’m A Superstar in 2019, she revealed Draper had been planning on proposing to her once more with a candy gesture after they have been reunited.
‘When Derek got here to satisfy me after I left the jungle, he was planning to suggest to me once more [with the ring, in front of the TV cameras], however he obtained overwhelmed and burst into tears,’ she defined to the Mail On Sunday’s You journal.
‘The youngsters leapt out and stunned me, and Darcey mentioned, “Oh Dad – you didn’t do it!” So he obtained down on one knee and proposed… and I mentioned sure, clearly.’
In 2020, Garraway spoke about renewing her vows with Draper, although her plans have been delayed by the pandemic.
‘We’d deliberate the marriage for the top of summer season, however I don’t suppose we’ll be reserving something now as a result of we don’t actually know what we are able to do,’ she advised The Solar.
‘Darcey’s taken management. She had massive, massive visions for the entire thing, and he or she was like: “Dad, that is the time to replace your wardrobe, you may’t simply put on polo shirts.”
‘She needs one thing very, very flamboyant for me as effectively, and in addition massive numbers, so we’ll have to attend for that motive alone if we are able to’t all collect collectively.
‘When Boris Johnson mentioned: “Individuals are going to lose family members earlier than their time”, it was a strong factor to say, since you immediately didn’t consider numbers and statistics, you considered your family members. I really feel higher for being cautious. It seems like, daily, the world is altering.’
Garraway introduced Draper’s dying on January 5, writing in an Instagram publish: ‘I’m unhappy to should let you know all that my darling husband Derek has handed away.’
‘As a few of chances are you’ll know he has been critically in poor health following a cardiac arrest in early December which, due to the injury inflicted by Covid in March 2020, led to additional issues’, she mentioned.
The ITV star continued: ‘Derek was surrounded by his household in his closing days and I used to be by his aspect holding his hand all through the final lengthy hours and when he handed.
‘I’ve a lot extra to say, and naturally I’ll achieve this in the end, however for now I simply wish to thank all of the medical groups who fought so laborious to avoid wasting him and to make his closing moments as snug and dignified as doable.
‘Sending a lot love and due to all of you who’ve so generously given our household a lot help. Relaxation gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I used to be so fortunate to have you ever in my life.’
They shared two kids: daughter Darcey, 17, and son Billy, 14.
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MORE : Kate Garraway pictured for first time since Derek Draper’s dying
