MARCH 2020
Kate revealed that she and Prince Charles He had “made a relatively good run” at the Prince’s Trust Awards on 11 March. – Charles was diagnosed with coronavirus in mid-March.
She said: ‘Around March 29 or 30, I came home and said to him (Derek), ‘God, you look sick.’
He said he had a headache, numbness in his right hand and was having trouble breathing.
“I called Dr. Hilary (Jones) and tried to get through. She spoke to Derek. He told me to get back in touch, I think you need to call an ambulance.”
Derek, 52, was taken to hospital on March 30 and remained unconscious.
APRIL
Kate and her children were isolated at home after she developed “mild symptoms.”
Kate said: “Derek remains in intensive care and is still very ill. I’m afraid it remains a terribly worrying time.”
“I’m afraid he’s still in a very critical condition, but he’s still here, which means there’s hope.”
CAN
Kate said: ‘The journey for me and my family seems far from over as each day my heart sinks as I discover new and devastating ways in which this virus is forcing Derek to endure more battles.
“But he is still HERE and so there is still hope.”
That month, Kate and her family took part in the final round of applause for caregivers.
She said: ‘I will never give that up because Derek is the love of my life, but at the same time I have absolute uncertainty.’
JUNE
On June 5, Kate revealed that Derek is now coronavirus-free but continues to battle the damage inflicted on his body.
JULY
On July 5, Kate revealed that Derek had woken up from his coma but was still in serious but critical condition.
On July 8, she announced she would be returning to GMB, after doctors urged her to “get on with her life” during Derek’s recovery.
He added that Derek “opened his eyes” after awakening from the coma, but was told his recovery could take years.
On July 13, Kate returned to GMB for the first time since Derek was hospitalized.
On July 28, Kate revealed she had made an “extra emotional” first visit to Derek and admitted she was “frustrated” by his slow progress.
AUGUST
On August 14, Kate assured GMB viewers that Derek was “still with us” but that it was “a waiting game.”
On August 19, Kate revealed that she celebrated Derek’s birthday with her two sons and described the day as “challenging” for her family.
SEPTEMBER
In late September, Derek reportedly became the longest-surviving coronavirus patient after spending 184 days in and out of intensive care.
Kate reveals that Derek lost four hundred stone during their battle.
The presenter announces that she will return to her Smooth Radio show so that Derek can hear her voice.
OCTOBER
On October 30, Kate reveals that Derek has spoken for the first time in seven months and said the word “hurt” to his wife, who watched him “in tears” on FaceTime.
Kate says a day later that her husband no longer needs a respirator to breathe.
NOVEMBER
Kate reveals her family car has been stolen, the latest ‘blow’ to her family life, as kind-hearted fans offer their cars to help.
She says she feels ‘physically sick’ at the prospect of facing her first Christmas without Derek.
DECEMBER
The GMB star tells viewers her dream is to visit Derek on Christmas Day.
She also reveals that she missed two weeks of GMB after her children were exposed to the virus, but thankfully she and the children tested negative.
On December 17, Kate has an emotional live conversation on GMB with two nurses who treated Derek when he was first admitted to Whittington Hospital in north London.
On New Year’s Eve, she reflects on a “calamitous” Christmas without Derek, as her house flooded and she struggled to get a food delivery slot until her friend Emma Willis stepped in to help.
JANUARY 2021
Kate reveals that she and her children were able to visit Derek in hospital over the Christmas period and that it was the first time her family had seen him since he was hospitalised.
She also says she is banned from seeing him due to new restrictions introduced during the government’s third lockdown.
FEBRUARY
Kate reveals she is unsure how much Derek will ever recover after doctors warned he may never wake up from his coma.
MARCH
Kate revealed she was in the process of adapting her home to suit Derek’s needs when he is eventually discharged from hospital, in the ITV documentary Finding Derek.
The show was praised by viewers for offering a harrowing look at the long-term effects of the coronavirus.
Kate also revealed that Derek has “no muscles” since battling Covid.
APRIL
Kate revealed that Derek was eventually allowed to leave the hospital, but would need 24-hour care once he returned home.
CAN
Kate revealed that despite now being at home with her family, her communication skills were ‘minimal’ and she ‘couldn’t really move’.
DECEMBER
During an appearance on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories, Kate revealed that Derek had said ‘I love you’ to her for the first time.
After celebrating Christmas, Derek was also pictured in a wheelchair during a trip to the pantomime with his family.
JANUARY 2022
Kate revealed that Derek was “very tired” and “very weak” after the family outing, adding: “I don’t know what this year will bring.”
FEBRUARY
Kate offered insight into the daily struggles of caring for her husband amid his battle with long Covid in the documentary Caring For Derek.
He also revealed that Derek would die in three days if he was left alone to fend for himself.
JULY
On July 6, Kate revealed that Derek had been readmitted to the hospital after suffering a “recession” and in a subsequent interview said she is taking things “day by day.”
On July 20, it was reported that Kate had stepped down from presenting Good Morning Britain to be at Derek’s bedside after his condition worsened “very severely”.
Recalling that day, the presenter told The Sun: ‘At one point Derek said to me: “This is it, this time. I’m leaving.” It was just terrifying.
“Her sepsis was heartbreaking for all of us because it hadn’t been diagnosed until the point where it was about to take her life again.”
JANUARY 2023
Kate She felt overwhelmed when confronting the former health secretary Matt Hancock on his handling of the pandemic and his decision to move forward I’m a celebrity…Get me out of here.
She then burst into tears and looked up as she talked about Derek, who has been ill for nearly three years.
Describing the public anger towards him, Kate added of his decision: “It gives the impression that you still don’t understand why they are angry. You still don’t understand why people are upset. They want to hold you more accountable.”
APRIL
Kate revealed Derek was once again receiving care in hospital, as she shared the emotional moment Sir Elton John dedicated a song to the “inspiring” couple.
She shared the emotional moment Sir Elton John dedicated a song to the “inspiring” couple, writing on Instagram: “Yes Derek has been back in hospital this week and yes there is a long road ahead but #eltonjohn and @davidfurnish gave the boys and Derek a moment we will never forget and has lifted their spirits again to feel like anything is possible.”
Kate was also reported to be planning a trip around the world to receive pioneering treatment as a “last hope” of helping her husband.
CAN
Kate reportedly faced a huge £716,000 tax bill after being forced to close her husband’s business two years after he contracted Covid-19.
The final total will be settled in the coming weeks, and her friends insist that she will pay everything she owes.
A friend told me: SunThe numbers are terrifying and Kate is of course worried about all the financial pressures, but she has to trust the process.
‘When the end comes, she is determined to return everything she owes.
‘It’s no secret that Kate has been struggling to keep her husband alive and overcoming some heartbreaking situations in her personal life in recent years.
Sadly, in addition to the emotional stress of Derek’s terrible illness, the financial burden has also been overwhelming.
DECEMBER
Derek had to fight for his life after suffering a heart attack.
Kate stayed awake 24/7 at his bedside and cancelled all work commitments while the family “prayed for a miracle.”
A source said: “It was sudden and a shock as he was doing very well and in great spirits, looking forward to Christmas at home with his family.
“This setback has been a hard blow for his family and all those who care for him. Kate is by his side 24 hours a day and encourages him to win this last battle for his life.
‘Derek has fought so many times and always, against all odds, has come out on top.’
JANUARY 2024
Kate announced on January 5 that Derek had passed away.
She said: ‘Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand during his final hours and when he passed away.
“I have much more to say and of course I will in due time, but for now I just want to thank all the medical teams who fought so hard to save him and make his final moments as comfortable and dignified as possible.”
MailOnline understands that he died on January 3 in a north London hospital.
He is survived by his wife Kate and children Darcey, 17, and son William, 14.
