Kate Garraway makes touching tribute to Derek Draper at funeral – which also saw emotional performance by Elton John

HEARTBROKEN Kate Garraway paid an emotional tribute to late husband Derek Draper today, accompanied by the great and good of politics and showbusiness.

The Good Morning Britain star, 56, was joined by the couple's two children Darcey and Billie, with 17-year-old Darcey bravely helping carry the coffin as her tearful mother looked on.

Poignantly Kate wore Derek's watch during the funeral, held at St Mary's Church in London's Primrose Hill.

Guests including Tony Blair, Elton John, Susanna Reid, Ben Shephard, Keir Starmer and Myleene Klass all sang Lord of the Dance.

Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life.

Kate Garraway

Sir Elton, who had arrived with a walking stick, sang his hit Skyline Pigeon as guests visibly welled-up.

Lyrics to the emotional tune include: "Turn me loose from your hands / Let me fly to distant lands / Over green fields, trees and mountains / Flowers and forest fountains / Home along the lanes of the skyway."

For a man who had spent much of the past three and a half years bed-bound, bravely battling the crippling effects of Covid, the meaning was lost on no-one.

Former PM Blair, under whom Derek worked for New Labour, also gave a touching speech during the eulogies.

A choir performed the Angus Dei, the Gospel Alleluia, God in my head and closed off with Nunc Dimittis.

A source said: "It was a heart-wrenching day, but an incredible send-off for a wonderful man.

"Kate, Darcey and Billy were so, so strong throughout, and would have been hugely touched by the incredible turn-out; it was testament to Derek's popularity in every area of his life.

"Kate wore Derek's watch so that she could carry a little piece of him on the day, and everyone was, of course, so kind to her. Quite simply, the public outpouring of support has kept her going of late."

Flowers left outside the church while the service took place included those from the children.

We are taking time to heal ourselves, now that Darcey and Billy know their Daddy is at peace and free from pain and struggle.

Kate Garraway

Darcey wrote on her flowers: “I love you with all my heart”.

At one point the attendees could be seen holding candles as the service, which lasted around two hours, fell on Candlemas.

The festival marks the official end of Christmas.

It is understood Derek had been involved with funeral requests prior to his tragic death.

"The funeral, from start to finish, was everything Derek would have wished for - and more," added the source.

"He was a pragmatist in life, and had made some requests and 'gentle suggestions' in his lifetime. Late and the family did him proud."

Elton could be heard singing live towards the end of the service, stunning passers-by who recognised his iconic voice.

Tony and Cherie Blair left shortly after the service, followed by Elton and husband David Furnish, who gave a brief wave to press outside.

Former Labour politicians Ed Milliband and Ed Balls, who left with Robert Rinder, left shortly after.

Other guests appeared to enjoy a champagne drinks reception while the family attended the Committal.

One attendee stepped outside clutching a glass of fizz to have a cigarette.

Other guests seen leaving included Alex Beresford, Charlotte Hawkins, Peter Mandelson - Derek's old boss - and Roman Kemp.

The coffin was carried back to the church around 90 minutes later, with the coffin loaded into the hearse.

Kate and her family then left for the private burial in Jaguars just before 2.30pm.

Several members of the public broke into applause as the cars drove off.

After the service, close friends and family gathered for a private celebration of the former lobbyist's life.

In honour of all the campaigning Kate has done, Carers UK also donated SumUp machines for guests to make contactless donations, and mental health charity Mind provided boxes for cash donations.

Derek died on January 3rd from complications of long Covid.

The previous month he had suffered a devastating heart attack but, against all odds, had initially overcome this latest set-back to his health.

The one-time political spin doctor-turned-acclaimed psychotherapist - who retrained in the States after quitting the Labour party in the nineties - had become Britain's longest-suffering hospital in-patient after being stricken with the virus in March 2020.

As he heroically fought coronavirus, the beloved father of two was subsequently plagued with a raft of health issues.

As well as damaging his kidneys and liver, he developed holes in his heart and, when doctors eventually tried to bring him out of his ten-week induced coma, he did not respond.

After he moved back home in April 2021, Derek required round the clock care and was rushed back to hospital with "life-threatening" sepsis in August the following year.

He was struck down with more ill-health in the following months and suffered a huge heart attack last December.