Yahoo News Kate Garraway supported by kids and Elton John at Derek Draper's funeral
Elton John and Tony Blair join Kate Garraway to remember her husband Derek Draper
Kate Garraway joined her two children and many friends to say goodbye to her late husband Derek Draper, who died aged 56 in January after a long battle with Covid.
With everyone watching on, their 17-year-old daughter Darcey was brave as she stepped up to help carry her father's coffin into the church for the special service. In an emotional moment during the difficult day, the 17-year-old was also seen holding her mum's hand.
Among the friends and family in attendance, Elton John and Tony Blair arrived at the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Primrose Hill on Friday to pay their respects as the former political lobbyist was laid to rest.
Elton John supports Kate Garraway at Derek Draper's funeral
Joined by his husband David Furnish, Elton John was seen arriving with a walking stick. The singing sensation had paid tribute to Draper when he died with a loving message to Garraway. At the time, his message on social media read: "So sorry to hear of this news, Kate. Love and thoughts to you and your family x."
The I'm Still Standing hitmaker had invited Draper and Garraway as guests of honour to his Rocket Man's Farewell Yellow Brick concert at London's O2 Arena. In April, the musician dedicated his song Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me to the couple.
He told the crowd: "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."
Garraway previously shared that she had played Elton John's music to her husband in hospital. At the time, she said: "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."
Labour figures say goodbye to Draper
Former Prime Minister Blair was joined by his wife Cherie on arrival at Draper's funeral as he said his goodbye to his "special" friend Draper.
In his social media tribute, he wrote: "I am so sad to hear the news about Derek. My heart goes out to Kate and their children William and Darcey. It is extraordinary and remarkable that Derek survived so long after the ravages of Covid.
"And that was in large measure due to the love Derek had for his family and they for him. This also says something very special about Derek. He was a tough sometimes ruthless political operative, a brilliant adviser and someone you always wanted on your side.
"But underneath that tough exterior he was a loving, kind, generous and good natured man you wanted as a friend. He was an important part of the New Labour story, at the centre of things right at the beginning. But most important of all, he was a good colleague and great friend. And we will miss him deeply."
Plus, the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and politician Ed Milliband were there to pay his respects. Former labour politician Ed Balls, who presents on Good Morning Britain too, also was present at the funeral to see Draper laid to rest.
Good Morning Britain's stars emotional at funeral
Many of Garraway's close TV friends arrived at Draper's funeral to say their goodbyes. Charlotte Hawkins and Rob Rinder had headed to the church after they were on breakfast TV on Friday morning.
Also present at the funeral were friends and co-stars Ben Shephard, Richard Madeley, Alex Beresford, Susanna Reid, Sean Fletcher and Richard Arnold.
Recently, Shephard thanked everyone for their love and support for Garraway in the wake of the news. The presenter gave some insight into Garraway's touching conversation with her daughter Darcey following Draper's death.
He said on Good Morning Britain: "They are in the next stages of working out what happens; there's a lot of admin to do when you lose someone. In that brilliant way yesterday, she said, 'I have to go out to go and register the death'.
"She told Darcey, 'Look I'm going to have to go out the house.' And Darcey said, 'I know this is going to be really hard but can I make one suggestion please?' She says, 'Course you can darling'. And then Darcey said, 'Can you take the Christmas jumper off and can you brush your hair?'
"And there's that brilliant moment that Kate burst out laughing. She said to me the clocks stopped for us just before Christmas when Derek had that heart attack and she's just starting to come out of that.
"We all know that Kate in the run up to Christmas wears a new Christmas jumper every day, she supports the charity. And suddenly she realises yesterday that everything has been frozen in time since then. So now it's about the next part of his journey."
Kate Garraway's tribute to Derek Draper
In early January, Good Morning Britain's presenter Garraway told the world the news her husband had died on social media. In an emotional post, the TV personality shared that she held her husband's hand throughout his final hours.
Garraway wrote on Instagram at the time: "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.
"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."
