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Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper wakes up from coma as coronavirus fight continues

PA
PA

Derek Draper has regained consciousness after spending weeks in an induced coma.

Kate Garraway’s husband was hospitalised with coronavirus back in March and the Good Morning Britain host has previously spoken about the “extraordinary damage” the virus has caused to his whole body.

Speaking to Hello! Magazine, Garraway, 53, has revealed that Draper, 52, has woken up - but doctors have warned her that he still has a long road to recovery.

“We're keeping positive and doing everything we can to bring him round,” she said. “The children and I communicate with him every day on FaceTime, while a nurse holds his iPad.

Happily married: Garraway and Draper have two children together (Dave Benett)
Happily married: Garraway and Draper have two children together (Dave Benett)

“I really believe he can hear. When medical staff say, "Good morning, Derek!, he sometimes opens his eyes. We and the doctors are doing everything we can so that he can start to recover.”

Garraway temporarily stepped back from work commitments, including GMB and her Smooth Radio show, when Draper was hospitalised.

But doctors have now told her to “get on with life whilst we are waiting for him to get better” as his “condition could persist for years.”

“Billy [the couple’s youngest child] starts secondary school in September, but Derek's doctors say he won't be out of hospital by then,” she added.

Garraway recently penned an emotional tribute to Draper on Father’s Day.

“Whatever happens next I’m afraid it is going to be a long road, with an uncertain end that isn’t even nearly in sight right now,” she wrote on Instagram.

“But this week I am refocusing on hope that as a family we are going to pull together with the support of friends and get through everything come what may.”

Draper tested negative for coronavirus in early June.

Speaking during an appearance on GMB, her first since Draper fell ill, Garraway said at the time: "One doctor said to me he’s the worst affected person he’s had to treat that has lived, thank God he’s lived so far.”