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KATE'S AGONY
Kate Garraway keeps vigil by husband Derek’s side as he fights for life after heart attack – as she cancels all TV work
The family are praying' 'fighter' Derek overcomes this latest setback
KATE Garraway is at Covid-stricken husband Derek’s side as he fights for life after a huge heart attack.
She has cancelled all TV and radio work to keep a 24-7 vigil, taking an indefinite leave of absence from presenting.
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The 56-year-old dad, who was struck down with Covid in 2020, is bravely battling this latest setback, after being taken dangerously ill last Monday.
Friends and family have been alerted to his worsening condition.
Last night, a source said: “Everyone is praying for a miracle.
“Derek suffered a massive heart attack earlier this week which has left him fighting for his life all over again.
“It was sudden and a shock as he had been doing so well and was in great spirits, looking forward to Christmas at home with the family.
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“This setback has been a huge blow for his family and all the people caring for him.
"Kate is by his side 24 hours a day and is willing him on to win this latest battle for his life.
“Derek has fought so many times, and always, against all odds, come out the other side.
“Kate has been utterly incredible — by his side while being an amazing mum to Darcey and Billy, and trying to manage their expectations of a family Christmas.”
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Derek was first rushed to hospital with Covid in March 2020.
After falling into a coma and being put on a ventilator, he spent 13 months in hospital — making him Britain’s longest suffering coronavirus victim.
He has since battled a variety of health problems. The virus caused brain inflammation, kidney failure, and liver and pancreas damage.
One brain scan last year showed white patches, usually seen in patients with vascular dementia.
He has undergone a series of inconclusive lung tests and still has difficulty breathing unaided.
After moving back to the family’s North London home, Kate was forced to spend thousands adapting it to accommodate her ailing husband.
She has also had to pay for round-the-clock carers and physios.
Derek — whose days have largely been filled with appointments, hospital trips and sleeping — has been the subject of two critically acclaimed documentaries fronted by Kate.
In them, it emerged she survives on around four hours of sleep, often getting up every two hours at night to help the carer move Derek.
She washes and changes his bed linen at least seven times a day.
Last February, The Sun revealed the couple had secretly flown to Mexico for a ground-breaking medical trial.
Kate accompanied him on the 16-hour, 11,000-mile trip after a world-renowned doctor contacted her after seeing former spin doctor Derek’s plight on TV.
He had two further trips to the specialist clinic in a last ditch bid to help him lead a normal life.
After Derek was rendered unable to speak, Kate also revealed her husband’s first word was “pain”.
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In June, Kate was awarded an MBE. Derek was at Windsor Castle when she was given the award by Prince William for her services to broadcasting, journalism and charity.
But just days later, Kate revealed Derek was rushed to hospital after the happy occasion.
Meanwhile, social care campaigners have backed her after she revealed she was “battling the system” to secure essential care for Derek. She feared losing the support he needed.
In March, Kate detailed the ongoing pain Derek suffers.
She said: “Derek is trapped, but he fights on. We cling on to the good days. Every day is a rollercoaster. His spirit fluctuates.
“Sometimes he lies there, unable to move, with tears rolling down his face and it is heart-breaking. But if it’s hard for us, I cannot imagine how hard it must be for him.”
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Kate’s spokesman confirmed: “Derek has been taken very seriously ill this week.
"He is a fighter and we are all praying for him to win this latest battle.”
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Derek's three-year struggle
MARCH 30, 2020: Derek is rushed unresponsive to hospital with Covid.
APRIL 24: He is put into an induced coma.
JUNE 5: Kate reveals Derek is Covid free but his body suffered damage.
JULY 5: He awakens from a deep coma but remains “minimally conscious”.
SEPTEMBER 6: Kate then reveals Derek lost eight stone and cannot speak.
SEPTEMBER 29: Becomes the longest-suffering Covid patient after spending 184 days in hospital.
OCTOBER 30: Wakes from coma and speaks for first time in seven months.
OCTOBER 31: He is finally taken off ventilator after 214 days in hospital.
JANUARY 7, 2021: Kate reveals kids got to visit Derek at Christmas — the first time since he was hospitalised.
APRIL 9: Derek returns home after over a year, but needs full-time care.
MAY 4: He is able to converse more.
DECEMBER 22: Pictured in public for the first time at a panto.
FEBRUARY 21, 2022: Kate says they secretly flew to Mexico for medical trial.
JULY 6: Derek is rushed back into hospital.
AUGUST 1: He is in intensive care with “life-threatening” sepsis.
JUNE 28, 2023: He sees wife Kate made MBE.
OCTOBER 8: Kate reveals Derek is “not doing great” after an infection.
NOVEMBER 23: In hospital for treatment to help with movement.
DECEMBER 11: Taken ill and suffers heart attack.
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