Elton John pays tribute to Kate Garraway’s husband Derek and dedicates huge hit to him as couple enjoy rare night out

KATE Garraway and husband Derek Draper were guests of honour at Sir Elton John’s latest concert.

They were hailed by the superstar singer who dedicated hit Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me to them.

Sir Elton, 76, told fans the couple had endured “really tough times”.

He said: “They’re inspiring. They’ve never given up and I’m so thrilled they’re here, I can’t believe they are here.”

“I want to dedicate this song to the people I mentioned before, but especially to you guys.”

Derek, thought to be the UK’s worst-affected Covid survivor, and Good Morning Britain host Kate, both 55, travelled from their North London home to the O2 in East London with children Darcey, 17, and Billy, 13.

Kate played Sir Elton’s music to Derek in hospital.

She told GMB at the time: “Elton John contacted me. It was so strange.

“I was like, ‘Elton… John?’ We do have a mutual friend, which I didn’t know about. And because of all the work he does with the Aids Foundation he was like, ‘What can I do to help?

“I know a bit about antiviral stuff. And I’m on board. I’ll try to help. He’s incredible.”

Kate, who wed former Labour party adviser Derek in 2005, made an acclaimed ITV documentary Finding Derek, about their lives and Derek’s battle with long Covid.

Kate has said he could have no quality of life owing to his medical complications.