Following the announcement on Friday that Kate Garraway's husband Derek Draper had passed away at the age of 56, Elton John paid his respects and sent his condolences. Draper and Garraway have just attended his concert a few months ago.
Following a protracted fight with COVID-19, Kate, who has two children with the former political adviser, Darcey, 17, and Billy, 13, disclosed the devastating news that her husband had passed away following a heart attack just before Christmas.
After Derek passed away, the "Rocket Ma" hitmaker posted on Instagram Stories, saying, "My heart goes out to Kate, Darcey, William and the whole family following the passing of Derek. David, the boys and I are thinking of you and sending all our love."
He also wrote on Kate's original announcement post with an emotional comment, "So sorry to hear of this news, Kate. Love and thoughts to you and your family x."
Kate, Derek, and their children went to see Elton perform at the O2 Arena in April. The 76-year-old hitmaker sang a song specifically for the family. Kate acknowledged that because of Derek's frail state at the time, the outing required months of planning.
On Instagram, Kate stated that she was holding his hand when he passed away on Wednesday night in a hospital in north London. After getting Covid in 2020, Derek had health issues.
In a post on Instagram she said, "I'm sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away...As some of you may know he has been critically ill following a cardiac arrest in early December which, because of the damage inflicted by Covid in March 2020, led to further complications."
"Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed...I have so much more to say, and of course I will do so in due course, but for now I just want to thank all the medical teams who fought so hard to save him and to make his final moments as comfortable and dignified as possible."
She ended her message with, "Sending so much love and thanks to all of you who have so generously given our family so much support. Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life."
