Kate Garraway: Finding Derek release date – All the details about ITV documentary
The Good Morning Britain presenter shares her emotional personal journey as she supports husband, Derek Draper, in his battle with long-COVID.
A documentary airing on ITV tonight will see Good Morning Britain presenter share an incredibly personal insight into the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on her family.
The film, titled Finding Derek, focuses on her husband Derek's fight against complications from the virus, which has seen him hospitalised for over a year, whilst also honing in on other people who have been affected by the harsh realities of long COVID.
Derek was hospitalised in March 2020 with COVID-19, and remains in hospital with severe health issues and complications as a result of the virus.
A first-look clip of the programme was broadcast on ITV on 23rd March and shows an emotional Derek returning to consciousness after he was placed in an induced coma – suggesting that this will be an unflinching look at his illness and its impact.
When is Kate Garraway: Finding Derek on ITV?
Kate Garraway: Finding Derek will air on Tuesday, 23rd March at 9pm on ITV.
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How to watch Kate Garraway: Finding Derek
Kate Garraway: Finding Derek will be available on to watch live on ITV on Tuesday, March 23rd at 9pm and will also be available to stream live or catch up on the ITV Hub.
Who is Kate Garraway's husband Derek Draper?
Derek Draper is a former lobbyist and political advisor for the Labour party and author of two non-fiction political books, Blair's 100 Days and Life Support. After retiring from politics, Derek retrained as a psychotherapist. He and Kate Garraway married in 2005, and have two children, Darcey, 14, and Billy, 11. The couple live together in London.
Since Derek contracted COVID-19 last spring, he remains in intensive care for continued treatment and is experiencing only "fleeting glimmers of consciousness", Garraway recently told The Sunday Times as she detailed the "horror" of her family's ordeal. While Derek no longer has the virus, COVID has caused heart failure and damage to his liver and pancreas, and Garraway has explained that doctors don't know why COVID has taken such a devastating toll on Derek's health.
The TV presenter has also been keeping fans updated on Derek's condition on Good Morning Britain and through her social media platforms. Garraway revealed that she was able to visit Derek in hospital over Christmas with her two children, which marked the first time they have been able to see their father since his hospitalisation.
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What has Kate said about Finding Derek?
Ahead of the broadcast, Kate appeared on Good Morning Britain to discuss the documentary and Derek's recovery from COVID.
And she revealed that the documentary may be a harrowing watch for some viewers, with a particularly tough moment at which Derek reveals that "he feels he can't go on."
"I managed to record that moment, and actually was quite a long period," she said, adding, "That particular moment was actually a night when I was in here and I was on air the next morning because it started late at night and I didn't want to come off the FaceTime with him. And I wanted to show I was still with him.
"We kept FaceTiming through the night and then on the way into work I asked if they could put Good Morning Britain on in there so he can see where I am."
Speaking about her decision to include that moment in the documentary, Garraway said that she thought it was important for the programme to reflect the harsh realities of her husband's condition.
"I think that's how anybody would feel if they had been trapped inside a body and mind that is not letting them communicate," she said.
"They're fighting against physical pain, discomfort. and anybody would feel that way. It's important to show that it's going to effect you, in whatever degree you've got it."
Kate Garraway: Finding Derek trailer
The trailer for the one-off was released on ITV's Twitter account on 18th March.
Kate Garraway: Finding Derek will air on ITV and ITV Hub on Tuesday, 23rd March at 9pm.
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